This summer school brings together doctoral researchers from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to study and critically reflect on the idea, history and practice of One Health. The underlying principle of One Health is that issues and problems affecting humans, animals and the environment are co-dependent, so solving a health problem or promoting "good health" for one involves considering the implications for the other two. This also means that no discipline can, on its own, resolve One Health challenges: it needs a collaboration of expertise and a willingness to cross sometimes uncomfortable borders – such as between the social sciences and the life sciences.

By working together to develop a this kind of collaborative perspective, students will actively contribute their expertise to the broader discourse while refining their own research in human, animal, and environmental health. This will provide an opportunity to work towards not only improving your own research, but also improving the development and practice of One Health, given that PhD research is the future of all disciplines.

During the Una Europa One Health Summer School 2024 you will:

• Develop your multidisciplinary thinking and skills
• Learn how to plan and conduct multidisciplinary One Health research or projects
• Enhance your presentation and communication skills
• Build your professional international network

The Summer School will be held on-site at Helsingin yliopisto/ Helsingfors universitet's Lammi Biological Research station from 24–28 June 2024.

The course will feature both pre- and post-assignments, including tasks like creating a research poster and submitting a report on how the acquired knowledge will influence your future research endeavors. Highlighting Helsingin yliopisto/ Helsingfors universitet's strengths, the programme integrates field excursions and practical research experiences with classroom-based learning, featuring interdisciplinary sessions led by both life scientists and social scientists.

Spanning five days amidst the picturesque rural landscape of Lammi, the programme commences with an introductory session inviting participants to explore some of the key concepts and debates (including ethical debates) for understanding One Health.

The second day is dedicated to a visit to the Saari Veterinary Hospital and will involve group activities aimed at deepening participants' understanding of One Health in practice.

Subsequent days will feature masterclasses and hands-on activities focusing on diverse topics such as infectious diseases, animal welfare and reproduction, the social study of microbes, global health caregiver roles, and biosafety protocols. The final day will facilitate group feedback sessions and plenary discussions, consolidating the learnings and insights gained throughout the programme.

Beyond the academic agenda, participants can look forward to social activities in the evening, including the Finnish sauna experience (optional!) which provide opportunities for relaxation and social interaction amidst the programme's rigorous schedule.

Tuition, accommodation (mostly in shared twin rooms), and catering during the course (24–28 June) will be provided free of charge.

Students from Una Europa universities can apply for Erasmus+ funding from their own university (Erasmus+ student exchange funding is 79 euros per day). Depending on the home university’s rules and the employment status of the applicant, in some universities, Erasmus+ staff mobility for training funding may also be used. Selected students will receive instructions on how to apply for funding.

With questions regarding the local policy and procedures on doctoral and staff mobility, please contact your university’s local international office responsible for staff and student mobility.

Please note: The One Health Summer School organising team at Helsingin yliopisto cannot answer any queries relating to funding for the Summer School as this is independently defined by each university.

The One Health Summer School welcomes applications from doctoral researchers at Una Europa universities from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. Three students from each university of the Una Europa alliance, and 2–3 students from each partner university will be selected to participate in the programme.

Please apply by completing the application form no later than 24 March.

Successful candidates will be notified by 14 April.

More: HERE