United Nations University
Institute for Sustainability and Peace

The PhD in Sustainability Science programme aims to produce scholars who will become key researchers in the area of sustainability science. In seeking to achieve and promote a better understanding of three of the most pressing issues on the UN agenda: global change, peace and security, and development, UNU-ISP through its postgraduate programmes takes an innovative approach to sustainability, bridging these cross-cutting themes through research, educational and collaborative initiatives.

The programme aims to equip graduates with a combination of broad comprehensive multidisciplinary knowledge to understand problems in a holistic sense and a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability in addressing current issues related to global change. The PhD dissertation of students will be on one of the research themes of UNU-ISP with a focus on global change and sustainability bringing in perspectives from peace and security, or international development fields.

Thus the PhD in Sustainability Science involves problem-oriented research that would enable students to acquire quantitative and qualitative analytical research skills to understand the underlying principles between various systems involved in sustainability issues and debates. Through coursework and research, PhD students are able to gain critical thinking, problem solving skills and technical literacy in addressing sustainability problems.

Degree Requirements

Students who earn a total requirement of 14 credits, from taking 3 of the 4 core courses, Interdisciplinary Research Seminar 4, plus 3 optional elective courses out of which 2 can be from courses offered by UNU-ISP partner institutions, or a practical training at the United Nations University – Institute of Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), successfully complete a doctoral dissertation and pass the final examination will receive a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD ) degree in Sustainability Science. The standard period is three years; the programme starts in September, with students expected to complete all the following degree requirements by July in the third academic year after enrolment.

For more details, please see course information.

Learning Environment and Facilities

The UNU Library offers access to a range of academic books, over 10,000 electronic journals, World Bank and OECD publications, and official UN documents issued since 1946. All students are provided with a comprehensive library orientation session at the beginning of the course.

A dedicated computer lab is provided for students, with software to cater to the needs of each course, including GIS, environmental modelling applications, and statistical analysis tools. In addition, students have access to a number of international conferences, workshops, and symposiums at the university. 

Student Support Services

UNU-ISP assists students from the time of their registration to graduation, acknowledging that students may experience difficulties adjusting to a new country and culture.

An induction programme is conducted at the beginning of the academic session, introducing students to the staff responsible for specific student services, and familiarizing students with the campus through a tour of the facilities.

Housing

Students are provided with a handbook about living in Tokyo prior to their arrival, including information on how to find and secure accommodation.

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