Transdisciplinary Master’s on Planetary Health: A New Initiative by CHARM-EU Universities
Six universities within the CHARM-EU alliance, including Åbo Akademi University (Finland), Julius Maximilians University (Würzburg), Trinity College Dublin, University of Bergen, University of Utrecht, and Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), will develop a two-year transnational Master’s program on Planetary Health. Led by Eötvös Loránd University, the collaborating partners will work on an innovative program to train experts equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle the intricate connections between environmental and human health, fostering solutions to pressing global challenges.
Addressing Urgent Global Challenges
The urgency of this program stems from the escalating pressures on ecosystems due to human activities, global warming, the spread of tropical diseases and zoonoses in Europe, and the rapid pace of urbanization. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for professionals who can operate effectively at the intersection of science, policy, and society to address these complex issues. The proposed Master’s program on Planetary Health is designed to meet this need, training experts who can approach these challenges holistically and collaborate across disciplines.
A Unique Collaboration Across Multiple Disciplines
For the first time, several faculties and institutes of ELTE, including the Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Biology, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Social Sciences, are joining forces with international partners to develop this innovative program. The initiative is being developed over 15 months, starting from October 1st, 2024, with a budget of 60,000 euros under the Erasmus Mundus Design Measures program.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to secure full financial support from the European Commission by applying for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program. If successful, the Master’s program on Planetary Health will offer students a unique opportunity to study in a transdisciplinary and international environment.
Leadership and Potential Impact
The project is led by principal investigator Viktor G. Mihucz from ELTE’s Institute of Chemistry (Faculty of Science), an experienced teacher involved in the CHARM-EU Master’s program on Global Challenges for Sustainability, which serves as a model for the new program. His work is supported by Nóra Jeney, senior EU funding advisor at the Faculty of Science. The initiative has already received significant recognition, scoring 93 out of 100 points in the Erasmus Mundus Design Measures application process, well above the 82-point threshold for financial support. Only 50 out of 138 applications were successful, highlighting the competitive nature of the call.
This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in addressing the pressing need for transdisciplinary expertise in planetary health, with the potential to make a lasting impact on global health and environmental sustainability.