The challenges of Occupational Safety and Health PhD. Program (DemSSO)

Transcription

1 The challenges of Occupational Safety and Health PhD. Program (DemSSO) (PhD. program of the University of Porto resulting from the cooperation of 12 of it s 14 faculties, based at FEUP) UP FEUP António Barbedo de Magalhães -1-

2 1.- The goal of safety and health studies A deliberate search for wellbeing is the goal of safety and health research, studies and practice. The objective of the Occupational Safety and Health PhD Program is to contribute, as much as possible, for this vital human desideratum. -2-

3 2.- The changing reality of the State and the new paradigm of occupational safety and health -3-

4 A new vision of occupational safety and health in a cooperative citizens-state model is necessary The state must change with the active participation of well informed and formed, realistic, critical, creative, cooperative and responsible citizens. Otherwise, both, state and welfare are unsustainable. -4-

5 For that, people must develop its citizenship. The models of occupational safety and health must be reviewed. Students must develop their skills, vision, culture and attitude. -5-

6 3.- Challenges of Occupational Safety and Health PhD. Program (DemSSO) -6-

7 What PhD degree was in the nineties and it is now: 1992 PhD degree confirms a) that innovator and original contribution for the progress of knowledge has been done, b) high level culture and c) the capacity to do independent scientific work. -7-

8 According to Decree-Law 74/2006, resulting from Bologna Process PhD degree is conferred to those who demonstrate: a) Capacity for systematic understanding in one knowledge domain; e) To be able to critically analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas; f) To be able to communicate with academic community and with society; g) To be able to promote the technological, social or cultural progress in a society based on knowledge. -8-

9 1 st Challenge From monodisciplinarity to transdisciplinarity -9-

10 1 st Challenge From monodisciplinarity to transdisciplinarity Taking into consideration the evolution of the concept of Philosofical Doctor, itself, the first challenge of this PhD Program is to thrive: from specialized monodisciplinarity to multidisciplinarity, using informations from different disciplines; from multidisciplinarity to interdisciplinarity, through the mutual interaction and enrichment of clearly different disciplines; from interdisciplinarity to transdisciplinarity, the holistic vision integrating scientific knowledge, philosophical conceptions, ethical values and behaviors, discipline and praxis. -10-

11 2 nd Challenge From hygiene and safety at workplace to the occupational safety and health for all, everywhere and in whatever situation Due to OSH work, conditions in workplaces have dramatically improved, since the 19 th century industrial revolution. Meanwhile, traffic accidents and other safety and health problems became comparatively more important, and demand greater attention. To take into consideration this evolution, the scope of this OSH PhD. Program is very broad, including non traditional fields of research. -11-

12 FATAL INJURIES , in the EU by responsible prevention domain Other domain 30% School, Sports, Home and Leisure 48% Road traffic 20% Work-place 2% Source: based on data from Injuries in the European Union: Statistics Summary (Bauer & Steiner, 2009) -12-

13 Hospital treated injuries per inhabitants Source: Injuries in the European Union: Statistics Summary (Bauer & Steiner, 2009, p. 11) -13-

14 Hospital treated injuries per inhabitants Source: Injuries in the European Union: Statistics Summary (Bauer & Steiner, 2009, p. 30) -14-

15 Injury DEATHS and percent distribution, by intent: United States, Homicide 11% Undetermined 3% Legal intervention or operations of war 0(,3)% Suicide 19% Unintentional 67% -15-

16 3 rd Challenge To develop multidisciplinary cooperation through the participation in DemSSO Program of professors and researchers from almost all the faculties of the University of Porto and even from other knowledgeable people. When DemSSO was created, in 2009, 11 of the 14 faculties of the UP were founding participants in this PhD Program. Now they are

17 4 th Challenge To become a learning and competencies development community Schools must be learning communities, much more than teaching ones. PhD. Students are supposed to expand knowledge and develop competencies to levels which neither teachers nor anyone else have ever achieved. Students and teachers are supposed to learn, develop and innovate in cooperation with others in the adventure of discovery they are all invited to pursue. -17-

18 Finally We do not forget the ~90% of the world population living with less than 2 US$ a day, nor the climatic changes, the fast growing of the world population and of its rapid ageing, with the new challenges it poses. We hope that our students, teachers and researchers, all together, may give a contribution for a better, safer and healthier world in the future, for all. -18-