Doutoramento em Sustentabilidade e Desenvolvimento
This PhD aims to qualify professionals in advanced studies in the area of sustainable development, especially the environmental and socio-economic aspects. Its main targets are all those who wish to develop advanced research in this area of study, especially those linked to the tertiary and public sectors, to education and training, staff from companies and international organisations working in development and social responsibility and as well as researchers.
The training purposes are:
• Deepening knowledge in the field of Sustainable Development, through the use of a current and interdisciplinary theory.
• The development of analytical skills, assessment and critical reflection on concrete situations in the area of Sustainability and Development.
• The development of capacities and competences to carry out research independently in the area of Sustainability and Development.
• The development of skills and competences to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and social and cultural progress within the scope of each mentioned specialty.
The following are the admission requirements for the Doctoral Program in Sustainability and Development:
Holders of a master's degree or equivalent legal qualification in any field of knowledge.
Holders of a bachelor's degree and possessing an especially relevant scientific curriculum that is recognized as attesting to the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the Scientific Council.
Holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum that has been recognized by the Scientific Council of the Open University as attesting to the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies.
In accordance with the Opening Order and selection criteria for candidates, the Research Object for the thesis must state the topic, problem, objectives and methods of the research that the candidate intends to develop (up to 300 words), as well as explain the academic and professional reasons that led them to apply (up to 150 words), always safeguarding the correctness of the written expression.
In addition to the above-mentioned admission requirements, the following are fundamental prerequisites for admission to the Doctoral Program:
Access to a computer with an internet connection.
Experience in browsing and searching the internet.
Good knowledge of the English language.
The number of candidates to be admitted is defined in the Opening Order.
In the case that there is not a minimum number of candidates to justify the opening and operation of the Doctoral Program, candidates who meet the stated requirements may be provisionally selected. In this case, obtaining the doctoral degree will be subject to the "elaboration of an original thesis specially prepared for this purpose," in accordance with paragraph a) of article 31 of Decree-Law 74/2006 of March 24, as amended by Decree-Law No. 107/2008 of June 2 and by Decree-Law No. 230/2009 of September 14. However, admission and enrollment in a doctorate, under these conditions, requires the approval by the Scientific Council of the Open University of a thesis project in the required specialty, presented by the candidate, accompanied by a proposal for a supervisor and the express consent of the latter.
The first part of the Doctoral Program is delivered entirely online through distance learning, using the e-learning platform of the Universidade Aberta. The first semester is preceded by a two-week fully virtual introductory module to familiarize students with the University's virtual pedagogical model, the specific characteristics of the online teaching context of this doctoral program, and the necessary e-learning tools. The second part of the Doctoral Program is primarily dedicated to research. The presentation and discussion of the doctoral thesis are conducted in a public, synchronous session, specifically convened for this purpose.
Part-time doctoral students are required to enroll in the second semester (first year) in the Advanced Theoretical Seminar II and Advanced Methodological Seminar II, and in the fourth semester (second year) in the Project Seminar. It is strongly recommended that enrollment in the Project Seminar only be made after the completion of the Advanced Theoretical Seminar I and Advanced Methodological Seminar I.
Throughout their studies in the Doctoral Program in Sustainability and Development, doctoral students are encouraged to present their research papers related to their thesis at international scientific conferences, and this should be reflected in the evaluation of the Project Seminar unit. Doctoral students enrolled in Thesis Seminar I or II are encouraged to present the development of their research at the annual e-sustainability doctoral seminar, which is essential for the approval of the annual progress report, which must be submitted.
The Doctoral Program in Social Sustainability and Development has an External Advisory Board and a Scientific Committee.
The course is recognized by the Directorate-General for Educational Administration (DGAE) in Recruitment Groups 200, 230, and 430.
Under Decree (excerpt) No. 8297/2024 published in DR No. 142, 2nd series of 24/07/2024, the designation is changed to a doctorate in Sustainability and Development (DSD).
The study cycle is accredited by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES)
The Doctoral Program in Sustainability and Development is taught in partnership between the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Social Sciences and Management
There is also an external partnership with the Center for Sustainable Development of the University of Brasília for the organization of the annual doctoral seminar.”
In the thesis development phase, doctoral students are encouraged to integrate into the Research Centers of their supervisors, accredited by the Foundation for Science and Technology.
The Doctoral Program in Sustainability and Development is organized into two parts Curricular Part: This initial part is worth 60 ECTS and focuses on coursework. Research Part: This subsequent part is dedicated primarily to research and is worth 120 ECTS.
Students are considered eligible to commence their thesis research after successfully completing the curricular part and obtaining approval of their thesis proposal from the Scientific Council of the Universidade Aberta
During the semesters corresponding to the second part of the Doctoral Program (Thesis Seminar I and II), students conduct their planned research under the supervision of a thesis advisor and, if applicable, a co-advisor.
The maximum duration of the Doctoral Program in Sustainability and Development is 3 years for full-time students. For part-time students, the maximum duration is 5 years. The first two years are typically dedicated to coursework