Description
Högskolan Dalarna, Sweden and Debre Berhan University in Ethiopia collaborate in a PhD programme aimed at strengthening research and doctoral education in midwifery and women’s health. Through courses, supervision, and academic collaboration, the programme develops new knowledge that can contribute to improved care for women and families.
PhD candidates are supported by a supervisory team consisting of one main supervisor and one or more co-supervisors from both universities. Together, they work to develop research projects that aim to reduce the gap between evidence and clinical practice. This involves understanding why research-based knowledge is sometimes not fully applied in healthcare and developing methods that make it easier to implement evidence-based care in practice.
During the first year of the programme, the PhD candidates develop their research proposals. After that, the research projects are carried out over several years. During this time, the PhD candidates will:
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collect research data
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analyse results
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publish scientific articles in international journals
The doctoral theses are planned to be completed around 2030. By publishing articles during the course of the projects, the PhD candidates continuously contribute to new knowledge in midwifery and women’s health.
An important part of the programme is the collaboration between the universities. Supervision takes place both digitally and through occasional in-person meetings. One key event is an initial meeting in Addis Ababa in November 2026, where PhD candidates and supervisors meet for seminars, examinations, and discussions about the research projects. Meetings like this strengthen the collaboration and help ensure that the research develops through close academic dialogue.
Through this long-term collaboration, a platform is created for research that can contribute to improved care and stronger research environments in women’s health—both locally and globally.
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