DISASTER-CARE: Graduate School in Disaster Medicine

DISASTER-CARE is Sweden’s first and only national graduate school in disaster medicine – an important and rapidly growing field in a time marked by a pandemic, increasing climate challenges, and a changing international security landscape.

This unique initiative, funded by the Swedish Research Council, aims to strengthen Sweden’s long-term capacity to educate healthcare professionals for crisis and wartime situations. It also contributes to strengthening the research basis, improving the quality of education in disaster medicine, and securing the long-term supply of disaster medicine researchers at higher education institutions.

More information about the assignment from the Swedish Research Council can be found at the following link: Doctoral programme grant for teachers within health care education - Swedish Research Council

As a doctoral student with us, you will become part of an interdisciplinary environment where medicine, caring sciences, engineering, social sciences, and leadership intersect. Here, doctoral students from various universities across the country and with diverse professional backgrounds come together – just as in real crisis situations.

DISASTER-CARE is aimed at those who are already working as educators – or who wish to develop in a teaching role within the field of disaster medicine.

With us, you will receive:

• education of high scientific and pedagogical quality
• a strong national and international network
• access to leading researchers and experts in the field
• guest lectures and collaborations with international partners
• opportunities to participate in conferences and global research contexts

DISASTER-CARE offers a structured course package of approximately 15 ECTS credits over five years, focusing on various aspects of disaster medicine, crisis management, and total defence medicine.

The programme includes:

• thematic courses in areas such as preparedness, leadership, collaboration, and medical response in crises and disasters
• simulations and scenario-based exercises
• international perspectives and exchange of experiences

The programme begins with a joint winter school where education is combined with practical components and networking. The school also offers additional courses, seminar series, and advanced modules.

All our courses are elective and delivered through a combination of distance learning and on-site sessions. This flexible format is designed to accommodate doctoral students with different geographical locations and life situations. We encourage in-person participation whenever possible to strengthen relationships and networks.

DISASTER-CARE is a comprehensive collaboration between several of Sweden’s leading universities in disaster medicine. 

Our teaching is led by prominent researchers and experts with experience from both academic research and real-world crisis and disaster situations. Together, we offer a unique breadth of expertise and research environments.

Participating universities and contact persons:

• Chalmers University of Technology: Andreas Fhager
• Linköping University: Carl-Oscar Jonson
• Swedish Defence University: Göran Sandström
• University of Borås: Henrik Andersson and Magnus Andersson Hagiwara
• University of Gothenburg: Yohan Robinson and Joakim Björås
• Umeå University: Anton Westman and Lina Gyllencreutz
• Örebro University: Karin Hugelius

DISASTER-CARE is looking for individuals who want to contribute to developing the future of education and preparedness in Disaster Medicine – whether you are already teaching or intend to do so.

You have an educational background in a field relevant to the area, such as healthcare, caring sciences, engineering, or social sciences.

Applications are submitted through one of the participating institutions, in accordance with their respective calls and recruitment processes.

Take the step and become part of the next generation of disaster medicine researchers!

_{Links to the respective doctoral position announcements at each participating university will be added shortly.}