The Católica Doctoral School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, organises the Annual Seminar of the Research Network Contemporary Humanism 2022 - Integral Human Development Summer School - from 5 to 9 September in Lisbon, under the title "Integral Human Development" (IHD).

In line with this focus on IHD, the 2022 annual seminar of the International PhD Program & Research Network Contemporary Humanism in cooperation with the Postdoc-Fellowship Program in Integral Human Development at UCP seeks to discuss issues concerning the three main areas of concern in IHD: Faith and Integral Development, Fringes of Humanity and Care of Creation.

The seminar will allow to enrich the research frameworks and insights around the multiple dimensions that constitute integral human development by challenging society’s preconceptions of development, poverty and inequality and debating knowledge on concepts, notions and realities of the world we live in. On the assumption that “authentic development is the development that makes every person ‘more human’ and seeks to promote the good of the whole person and of every person”, the seminar seeks to understand what a New and Contemporary Humanism might mean and how it could help to transform 21st century’s culture and society.

Keynote Speakers:

• Andrew McKenzie-McHarg (Australian Catholic University): “Modes of Understanding the Margins”
• Michael Bourgatte  (Institut Catholique de Paris): “Video Empowerment in the Digital Age”
• Chiara Pesaresi (Université Catholique de Lyon): “A Philosophical Perspective on Integral Human Development in the Light of Vulnerability”
• João Duque (Universidade Católica Portuguesa): “Monist Posthumanism or Analogue New Humanism?”
• Alejandra Carrasco (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile): “Justice, Respect and Care”

For more information on the programme, or streaming link please visit:

Summer School Page

The latest EUA (European University Association) report, "Postdoctoral researchers at European universities: profiles, roles and institutional support structures", distinguishes the Postdoc-Fellowship Program in Integral Human Development at Católica Doctoral School as a good practice in the field of "Skills development".

In the report, the post-doc is described as a "unique scholarship programme that offers training courses on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Ethics, Science Communication and Media Coaching."

"For two years, the fellows meet once a week as a cohort for transdisciplinary work and are further supported by institutional mentors. They develop academic research on Integral Human Development and simultaneously address and promote social change in Portuguese society working with non-academic partners," the authors add.

Recognising that "despite their valuable contribution to the research environment, the situation of postdoctoral researchers remains challenging in Europe", the study aims to serve "as a source of reflection for academic leaders, doctoral school managers and professionals on developing the support provided to postdoctoral researchers, suggesting ways to make the postdoctoral period a positive and fruitful experience."

Organised by the EUA Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE), the report was coordinated by Tim Engles (Chair), Alexander Hasgall, Ana-Maria Peneoasu, with the collaboration of Peter Hanenberg, Vice-Rector of Universidade Católica and member of the council.

The EUA-CDE was launched in 2008 as an initiative of the European University Association, of which UCP is a member, "responding to a growing interest in doctoral education and research training in Europe."

Read the full report

17 fellows from the post-doctoral programme in Integral Human Development (DHI) at the Católica Doctoral School (CADOS) travelled to Rome on a study visit, where they were received at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development by Cardinal Michael Czerni. At the Dicastery for Culture and Education they had the opportunity to speak with Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and former Vice-Rector of the Universidade Católica (UCP).

The meetings took place as part of a study visit to Rome from 28 February to 2 March. The group was accompanied by UCP Vice-Rectors Peter Hanenberg and Fr José Manuel Pereira de Almeida, and by Cristina Robledano from Porticus, the association supporting the post-doctorate.

According to Peter Hanenberg, Programme Director, this visit "gave rise to new prospects for cooperation with the partners in Rome, anchored in the intervention and transformation projects of the researchers on this programme."

During the trip, the researchers also took part in a debate at LUMSA University, visited the Vatican Library, attended a presentation session at the Church of Santo António dos Portugueses and a Mass at St Peter's Basilica. For the UCP Vice-Rector, this initiative "reinforced the interdisciplinary spirit of the programme's researchers".

With a total of 22 fellows, the post-doctoral programme "aims to contribute to a renewed concept of human development" and is now in its third edition.

Joana Romeiro, professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing and researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research (CIIS), and current postdoctoral fellow in the Integral Human Development Program (DHI) at the Católica Doctoral School (CADOS), was awarded the "Martha E. Rogers Grant" by New York University for her postdoctoral project: "Social vulnerability and its effects on the health of immigrant children living in Portugal". 

This prize is awarded by the "Martha E. Rogers' Scholars Fund" to only two projects that stand out in the field of Nursing in the application and support of the "Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings", and that are distinguished by their observation of Man in his holistic and integral aspects.

Helga Martins, a CADOS DHI postdoctoral fellow, won the “EONS Best Rapid Fire Presentation Award 2024” during the 17th edition of the EONS17: European Oncology Nursing Society Conference. The winning work, entitled “Pain monitoring and assessment in oncology: a best practice implementation project”, stood out for its innovation and impact in the field of cancer care, reflecting the ongoing commitment to excellence and patient care. Read Helga Martins' words about this award.

the most significant aspect of this project has undoubtedly been the positive impact on patients, who have always been and will continue to be the focus and priority of our care.

 

“This project was developed based on an innovative methodology, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) model and the Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit. The JBI PACES and GRiP framework follows a seven-step approach to implementing evidence-based healthcare, with the main aim of assessing the compliance of pain monitoring and assessment practices in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, ensuring that these practices align with the best available scientific evidence. The impact on clinical practice has been very positive, with a significant evolution in the evidence audit criteria used in the field of pain in oncology. However, the most significant aspect of this project has undoubtedly been the positive impact on patients, who have always been and will continue to be the focus and priority of our care.

The main challenges of this project centered on mobilizing the entire team to implement the best scientific evidence available in the context of clinical practice. It was a long and demanding process, which involved not only the dedication of each team member, but also their ability to adapt and incorporate new evidence-based approaches. Implementing these changes in clinical practice required a collective commitment to improving the quality of the nursing care provided.

Receiving the award at EONS17 was recognition of the hard work of the entire team involved in this project. Furthermore, it was with great happiness and honor that we saw this award come to Portugal, valuing research and the quality of nursing care provided in the field of oncology. I must express my deep gratitude to Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, the Portuguese Oncology Nursing Association and the Algarve Local Health Unit (Faro Hospital) for their invaluable support and trust throughout this process. Without the collaboration and encouragement of these institutions, this project would not have achieved the success we are celebrating today.”

Peter Hanenberg, Vice-Rector for Research and Doctoral Education at the Universidade Católica and member of the Steering Committee of the Council for Doctoral Education of the European University Association (EUA-CDE), is one of the guest speakers at the Conference ‘Doctoral Education in transition: addressing challenges for inspiring change’, organised by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES).

Taking place on 29 November in Lisbon, Peter Hanenber will focus on the issue of doctoral student orientation. In the so-called Salzburg Declaration of 2005, this issue was identified as one of the central themes for doctoral education and the success of doctoral students.

The Vice-Rector of Católica will present some solutions based on good practice and using examples from the Universidade Católica and Católica Doctoral School.

PROGRAMME

From 9 to 11 January, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa brought together experts and academics in Lisbon to debate the topic of Integral Human Development (IHD): Paths to the Common Good. At the invitation of the Católica Doctoral School, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, kicked off this presentation of the results of the 2023-2025 social impact projects funded by the DHI programme.

During her intervention, Sister Alessandra Smerilli offered the perspective of care and listening, combining theory and practice, as paths to the future. She also shared what she considers to be the main risks on a global scale, focussing on the ‘technocratic paradigm’.

In light of this risk, the sister praised the programme of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, highlighting its work in the ‘concrete’ reality of the country. ‘We risk talking about big concepts, global problems, but then we fail to look at real situations,’ emphasised.

As for possible ways forward, Alessandra Smerilli mentioned the paradigm of care: ‘we need to change the social norms of work and care: work and care are interconnected, and we won't be able to value care if we don't restructure the way we understand work.’

At the conference, Peter Hanenberg, Vice-Rector for Research and Doctoral Education at Católica, also reinforced the impact of the DHI Programme, inviting a ‘turn towards society’ by promoting research with ‘real impact’ in practice.

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa, through the Católica Doctoral School, opened a call for research scholarships for master's and doctoral students under an exclusive dedication regime, in the areas of Art, Culture and Humanities, Social Sciences, Religion and Theology and Health and Biotechnology, for the year 2022/23.

The scholarships will be awarded under the scope of the Protocol between the Amélia de Mello Foundation and the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

The application period runs from 4th July 2022 until 5pm (Lisbon time) on 15th July 2022.

Master Regulation  |  PhD Regulation

Apply (Master)  |  Apply (PhD)

Applications for the 2nd year of the Post-doctoral Programme in Integral Human Development (IHD) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), with the support of Porticus, are open until November 29th. Young researchers from all scientific areas can apply for eight research grants, which seeks to support projects focusing on the most vulnerable dimensions of Portuguese society.

In addition to funding projects, Universidade Católica trains researchers prepares researchers to be leaders for the common good, with a vision for the future in Portuguese society. Isabel Capeloa Gil, Rector of UCP, highlights the transformative nature of the programme: "This UCP initiative, in partnership with Porticus, aims to be a "programme of mission, of encounter and of journey".

The application to be submitted focuses on the theme "Peripheries of Humanity", and must draw on public policy data and employ experimental pilot projects in social, cultural, educational, or other dimensions that are able to translate the key messages of Integral Human Development and how it brings new light to critical issues for the development of Portuguese society. Rita Valadas, President of Caritas and member of the evaluation committee for the applications, points out the centrality of the theme: "They are not geographical peripheries, they are right in the center of the cities, invisible".

The Programme intends to attract younger researchers and offer them the opportunity to lead a research project, with a strong interventional character, being these two major goals of the programme: empowering young people and transforming society. 

The researchers are provided with a monthly stipend, for a maximum period of two years, with additional research support, travel, and family allowances for researchers with children. These humanistic values are present in all aspects of the curriculum, as stated by the Programme Coordinator and Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Peter Hanenberg: "This is the first Post-Doctoral programme in Portugal that is, more than a fellowship, a true Programme".

Discover all the information about the programme and the applications here:

PROGRAMME AND APPLICATIONS