Preparedness for health crises: a multidisciplinary approach

In an international environment with tailored mentorship, this course will enhance the participants´ knowledge and capability to analyse health crises from multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives and achieve a better understanding of the generation of knowledge needed to address global health threats in society. Further, the candidate will be invited to reflect upon different approaches to complexity and uncertainty for better knowledge preparedness for new crisis.

Blended intensive programs are short, intensive programs that use innovative ways of learning and teaching, including the use of online cooperation. The programs may include challenge based learning where transnational and transdisciplinary teams work together to tackle challenges, for example those linked to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals or other societal challenges identified by regions, cities or companies. The intensive program should have added value compared to existing courses or training. By enabling new and more flexible mobility formats that combine physical mobility with a virtual part, blended intensive programs aim at reaching all types of students from all backgrounds, study fields and cycles (Elective, master & PhD students).  During these blended intensive programs, some of the students or staff as learners will undertake a short-term physical mobility abroad combined with a compulsory virtual component facilitating collaborative online learning exchange and teamwork. The virtual component must bring the learners together online to work collectively and simultaneously on specific assignments that are integrated in the blended intensive program and count towards the overall learning outcomes.

The course includes:
Online lectures from September 28 to October 12, 2026, covering various topics related to health crises. Between lectures the students will work online in international and interdisciplinary groups on given tasks and problems, supported by mentors from the partner universities. The mentors are young researchers at the partner universities and will be coordinated from UiB to ensure quality and homogeneity.
Physical stay in Bergen from October 19 to October 27, 2026, including workshops, presentations, and a conference. (A limited number of students will be allowed to take part in the mobility week in Bergen, subject to participation, demand and Erasmus+ financing from home university)

A candidate who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge. The candidate ...

• understands the complexity and uncertainty in the development of evidence regarding health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic
• understands the need of different disciplines, methods, processes and stakeholders in research and educationprojects related to health crises
• can contribute to the development of new transdisciplinary knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in the field

Skills. The candidate ...

• can formulate complex problems, research and scholarly and/or artistic development work incorporating different perspectives
• can be part of research and scholarly and/or artistic research work of a high international standard
• can handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field

General competence. The candidate ...

• can identify new relevant ethical issues and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity
• can discuss complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects
• can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation