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 (SDG928A) 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.

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, recognizes the need of different disciplines, methods (interdisciplinary), processes and stakeholders in research and educationprojects related to health crises.

- acknowledges and uses system approaches in research on health crises 

- can contribute to the development of new transdisciplinary knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in the field

- is aware of and understands different perspectives on building resilient health systems 

- understands One Health approach 

Skills. The candidate ...

- can formulate complex challenges and research questions incorporating different perspectives

- can challenge established knowledge and practice in the field in a constructive way

- can handle uncertainty in research

- can work and collaborate in interdisciplinary research environments

- can disseminate information on complexity in an understandable way

General competence. The candidate ...

- can identify relevant ethical issues and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity

- can discuss complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects within levels of uncertainty

- can assess the need for, initiate and practice interdisciplinary projects to improve knowledge preparedness