Environment and sustainable development in doctoral education

Sustainable development is an important aspect of Karolinska Institutet’s core values.

The activities of Karolinska Institutet (KI) fall within an area where fundamental values are of a particular importance. According to KI’s core values, our activities are to be characterised by a strong social commitment and contribution to sustainable development within and outside Sweden’s borders through our education and research.

All research conducted at KI contributes to improving human health, which is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the society. The doctoral education at KI is to be caracterised by high quality so that all doctoral students can make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the society as well as develop as scientists.

Supervisors and doctoral students at KI are recommended to reflect over how the doctoral student’s education, including the intended learning outcomes for doctoral education according to the Higher Education Ordinance, contributes to KI’s mission and vision according to KI’s core values.

Doctoral programmes

Research that highlights the links between health, socioeconomic factors and human environmental impact is of particular importance for sustainable development. There are a range of thematic doctoral programmes at KI that arrange learning activities, e.g. courses, workshops and seminars, about environment and sustainable development. Doctoral students register for one or several doctoral programmes in their individual study plans, and thereafter obtain information about courses and activities that are arranged by the doctoral programme. At any time, doctoral students can register to additional doctoral programmes by sending an e-mail to the doctoral programme’s administrator or coordinator.

Some of the doctoral programmes that works with environment and sustainable development at KI are:

• Biology of infection and global health (BIGH)

Global health: The doctoral programme provides education within areas such as diseases of the poor, public health, epidemiology, antibiotic resistance, and methodology, in the context of poverty. The program contributes to a better environment by offering most of its courses on-line in the “blending learning” format. In this way, students do not need to travel to Stockholm to participate. Currently, the programme’s students participate from the US, Africa, Asia and other sites in Sweden.

Infection biology: The doctoral programme provides education in how infectious diseases arise and spread, how infectious agents interact with humans, and how infectious diseases can be prevented and treated. Considering infectious diseases potential effect on the individual and the society, the programme contributes to maintaining a good environment and to strengthen social and economic sustainability. Eco-labelling and environmental certifications are considered for the programme’s procurements. Teachers are encouraged to use electronic educational materials instead of printouts.

• Epidemiology

The Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology constitute a coherent and systematic structure, including basic and advanced courses in theory and methods, as well as courses focused on specific areas of epidemiological applications. In some of the educational activities, e-learning modules or blended learning approaches are used.

Doctoral courses in environment and sustainable development

All newly admitted doctoral students whose studies are carried out either fully or partially in a laboratory attend a compulsory course in Laboratory Safety (1,8 higher education credits) which provides instruction on the safe handling of substances hazardous to the environment during laboratory work.

All newly admitted doctoral students undergo a web course on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of the mandatory introduction for doctoral students.