Quantitative methods for economics, environment and health

The PhD in Quantitative Methods for Economics, Environment and Health was born from the need to respond with innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to the epochal transformations that are modifying the economic, social, environmental and health structures at a global level. It is an ambitious training project, built around the idea that the complexity of the contemporary world requires theoretical, methodological and applicative tools capable of reading the profound interconnections between the phenomena that cross our time: climate change, growth of inequalities, crisis of health systems, ecological transition, digitalization of production processes and spread of new social vulnerabilities.
The founding element of the doctorate is the belief that the boundaries between economics, health and the environment are increasingly porous and interdependent. Economic choices have environmental and health effects that are often transversal and long-term; the health conditions of populations affect productivity, collective well-being and the sustainability of welfare; environmental policies, in turn, define new market spaces, redefine production chains and pose constraints but also opportunities for local and global development. In this context, training scholars capable of interpreting these complex relationships and proposing innovative solutions becomes a strategic priority not only for the academic world, but also for institutions, businesses, local communities and the entire civil society.
The course was designed to offer a broad-spectrum preparation, combining scientific rigor and intellectual flexibility. The training project is based on the integration of economic knowledge, environmental skills and knowledge in the health sector, divided into a series of thematic modules, laboratory activities, interdisciplinary research projects, international collaborations and moments of discussion with local actors.
The doctorate also aims to be a platform for experimenting with new forms of interaction between universities and society, encouraging participation in action-research projects, co-design with local authorities, citizen science initiatives and practices of public restitution of research results. The involvement of doctoral students in social and environmental innovation processes will be supported by an open, dynamic training ecosystem oriented towards the construction of long-lasting collaboration networks with public administrations, civil society organizations, responsible businesses and associations active in the territories.
The international dimension is a transversal pillar of the entire project. PhD students will be encouraged to spend periods of study and research abroad, to participate in European mobility programs. Publication in international scientific journals, participation in conferences and the drafting of articles, reports and policy briefs for institutional and community stakeholders will also be encouraged.
Furthermore, the growing interest in the use of substances and active principles of natural origin in the treatment and prevention of diseases opens new perspectives for the development of innovative, safe and economically sustainable therapies. This research project also aims to explore and validate the therapeutic and preventive efficacy of bioactive compounds of natural origin, evaluating their benefits in terms of health and optimization of resources. In this context, one of the objectives of the project is to identify, characterize and test the biological activity of natural active principles, in order to develop effective therapeutic strategies, while promoting a more rational use of economic and environmental resources.
A crucial aspect of the PhD program concerns the awareness and application of the regulatory and ethical aspects related to the use of quantitative tools and artificial intelligence. PhD students will be trained on the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the collection, analysis and use of sensitive data in the economic, environmental and health fields. They will also be sensitized to the ethical implications arising from the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, with particular reference to issues of algorithmic bias, transparency, accountability and privacy protection. In short, the training project represents an advanced laboratory for the development of new paradigms of thought and action, capable of combining analytical rigor and civil commitment, theoretical reflection and concrete impact. The goal is to train a new generation of scholars who do not limit themselves to interpreting the world, but actively contribute to transforming it in the direction of greater economic, environmental and health justice.

The PhD in Quantitative Methods for Economics, Environment and Health is based on the awareness that the great contemporary problems can no longer be addressed within the rigid boundaries of individual disciplines. The complexity of reality requires new conceptual and operational tools capable of reading, interpreting and transforming economic, social, health and environmental processes in a systemic, interconnected and anticipatory perspective. For this reason, the main educational objective of the course is to provide PhD students with an advanced scientific preparation, methodologically solid and intellectually flexible, which allows them to develop critical thinking oriented towards the search for sustainable, inclusive and data-based solutions.

In the context of a society that must rethink its models of production, consumption, resource management and healthcare, the course aims to promote training capable of bringing together the demands of economic development with those of environmental justice and public health protection. Students will be accompanied on a path that enhances theoretical reflection but also the ability to perform quantitative modeling, collect and interpret environmental and healthcare data, develop scenarios and evaluate public policies. The course, therefore, aims to train subjects capable of acting as intellectual hubs between traditionally separate worlds: that of economics with that of ecology, that of public healthcare with that of territorial planning, that of public policies with that of active citizenship.

Through a complex program of courses, laboratories, workshops, seminars and international exchanges, PhD students will acquire advanced skills in different areas: environmental and natural resources economics, health economics, economic epidemiology, environmental governance, sustainable development, circular economy, statistics applied to health and ecological systems, big data and complex network analysis, behavioral economics and public policy impact assessment. These skills will be developed both theoretically and through practical applications on real cases, also through participation in collaborative research projects with local authorities, companies and international institutions.

Particular importance will be given to the ethical and social dimension of training. The course aims to cultivate in PhD students a sense of responsibility towards society, the environment and future generations. Participatory research approaches, transdisciplinary methodologies and practices of giving back to the community will be promoted. PhD students will learn to communicate the results of their research effectively and accessible to different audiences, refining transversal skills such as public speaking, popular writing and management of participatory processes.

The international dimension will be another fundamental pillar of the path. Thanks to a network of collaborations with universities, research centers, international organizations and cooperation agencies, doctoral students will have the opportunity to carry out study and research stays abroad, participate in scientific conferences, contribute to the drafting of academic articles and policy papers, as well as develop the ability to work in multicultural and interdisciplinary contexts.

Finally, the course aims to strengthen the link between academic training and public policies, encouraging PhD students to participate in policy design and policy evaluation processes, both at local, national and European levels. In this sense, the PhD aims to become a permanent laboratory of research and innovation at the service of ecological transformation, health promotion and sustainable socio-economic development.

Expected teachings

• Mathematics for Complex Systems and Modeling
• Data Science Applied to Economics, Environment and Health I
• Intelligent Systems and Deep Learning for a Sustainable Future
• Green and Circular Economy: Theories and Applications
• Sustainable Development and the Economics of Climate Change
• Law and Economics of Environmental and Health Policies
• Criminal Law and Protection of Collective Assets
• Environment-Microbiota-Health Interactions: Biomedical Potentials of Phytochemicals and Microbial Derivatives
• Data Science Applied to Economics, Environment and Health II
• Strategic Decisions in Economy, Environment and Health
• Innovative pharmaceutical and nutraceutical forms
• Territorial sustainability and bioeconomy
• Advanced Laboratory Methodologies for Sustainable Health: Integrating Anti-Aging and Wellness Approaches
• Modeling of organ physiopathology: studying barriers to delivery of bioactive principles
• EU Policies for Integrated Sustainability: Nexus Economy, Environment and Health

Other educational activities

• Computer improvement
• Management of research and knowledge of European and international research systems
• Linguistic improvement
• Laboratory activities
• Seminars

All Master's Degrees

The training path offered by the Doctorate in Quantitative Methods for Economics, Environment and Health is designed to respond to a growing demand for complex and transversal skills, capable of tackling problems with high knowledge intensity and social impact. The profiles formed by the course are versatile, innovative and highly sought after in various sectors, thanks to the ability to combine scientific analysis, ethical awareness and strategic vision. The career opportunities are divided into two main areas: public administration and the private sector, with a natural propensity also towards the academic and research world.

In the public sector, PhDs may find employment in ministries, local authorities, environmental and health agencies, and European and international institutions. The profile they have acquired makes them ideal for roles in strategic planning, evaluation and monitoring of public policies, management of health systems, territorial programming, environmental protection and sustainable development. They may be involved in the drafting of sustainable urban plans, climate change mitigation strategies, integrated public health interventions, and actions to reduce socio-health inequalities. They will also be key figures in the processes of civic participation, participatory programming and public accountability, helping to strengthen the institutional capacity of administrations through skills based on scientific evidence.

In the private sector, the doctorate opens the doors to qualified careers within companies, innovative startups, consulting firms, foundations, third sector entities and non-governmental organizations. The skills acquired in environmental analysis, health economics and applied sustainability allow you to operate effectively in production contexts oriented towards ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives, in the definition of sustainable business strategies, in the drafting of social and environmental reports, in the assessment of the social impact of investments (SROI) and in the design of innovation-based health and environmental services. Companies operating in strategic sectors such as agri-food, energy, sustainable logistics, digital health, bioeconomy, resilient urban planning and ecosystem services management represent natural interlocutors for these highly specialized profiles.

In addition, those who wish to continue their academic career will have the opportunity to enter the scientific research circuits at a national and international level, participating in competitive calls, post-doctoral programs, European research networks and projects financed by structural funds or framework programs. PhDs will have acquired the skills to publish in international scientific journals, collaborate with interdisciplinary research groups and contribute to educational and training innovation in the economics, environment and health sectors.