Presentation of the Programme — Environment and Society

The Postgraduate Programme in Environment and Society (PPGA&S) at Unicamp, established in 2004, is one of the country’s most important programmes in this field. PPGA&S comprises highly qualified academic staff who conduct research across a range of areas. The programme’s principal objectives are the production of cutting-edge scientific research in Environment and Society and the training of specialised professionals for academia, research centres, and public and private sector roles. The success of our alumni is evidenced by the prominent positions they hold, such as university professors, directors of research institutes, and advisors to government bodies and private companies.

The aim of the Postgraduate Programme in Environment and Society (PPG-A&S) is to train doctoral researchers to understand and address the complex relationships between social and environmental processes, with particular attention to societal transformations towards sustainability. This training is grounded in a context of scientific excellence and underpinned by interdisciplinary, independent, critical and reflective knowledge. To this end, the programme — which is public and tuition-free — has the following missions:

a) To promote a broad and interdisciplinary education within the field of Environment and Society, informed by the diverse scientific perspectives and bodies of knowledge that support it, as a foundation for innovative and proactive scientific work directed both towards knowledge production and the tackling of contemporary socio-environmental problems;

b) To train doctoral researchers capable of working in academic institutions, research institutes, governmental and non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and public–private partnerships. These professionals will be equipped with a solid theoretical and epistemological formation, ready to engage in the analysis and resolution of social and environmental problems, making the programme highly relevant in today's world.

c) The programme's mission is to enable society to reflect critically on and confront contemporary environmental issues. Through the use and application of a dynamic, interdisciplinary repertoire of conceptual frameworks and methodologies, we facilitate and encourage debate between different perspectives on matters concerning environment and society, thereby making a significant societal impact.