Ph.D. in Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations

Ph.D. in Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations

The PhD in Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations is a pioneering graduate degree program of the School of Environmental Science and Management of UP Los Baños that provides students with an advanced understanding of the science of environment needed for environmental diplomatic relations and negotiations both at the local and global levels.

The program covers courses that tackle the global environmental systems; the theoretical, analytical, research methodological, and ethical foundations of environmental diplomacy and negotiations for global environmental issues; international environmental policies and institutions; and environmental conflict resolution and management. A semester of internship at partner institutions in the Philippines and abroad also forms a regular part of the program.

Through the program, the students will be able to provide the scientific arguments and bases for crafting and reviewing international agreements and cooperation that countries enter into in relation to environmental and global sustainability. The students are expected to further their appreciation and articulation of national positions with respect to global standings pertaining to the sustainable use, protection, conservation, or restoration of environmental and
natural resources.

The program is specially designed to address the need to develop a cadre of competent environmental leaders and competent professionals particularly in Southeast Asia who can bring good science into their respective country’s international environmental policies and relations and into resolving and managing environmental conflict towards nationhood and sustainable development interests.

Program Outcomes

After completing the program, the student is expected to be able to:

• Discuss the theoretical and empirical foundations of environmental diplomacy, negotiations, and conflict resolution;
• Analyze independently and critically a broad range of transboundary environmental conflicts and contestations through the integration and application of the fundamental concepts and tools in environmental diplomacy and negotiations;
• Acquire an advanced understanding of the science of the environment (i.e., demonstrates mastery of complex concepts, ability to apply concepts to actual problems, and ability to think critically) needed for environmental conflict resolution, negotiations, and diplomacy at multiple scales: local, national, regional, and global; and,
• Perform effectively (i.e., able to generate and communicate research outputs, provide technical advice, and actively contribute to science-based solutions) as part of a cadre of competent professionals, practitioners, and environmental leaders who can resolve contemporary challenges in environmental diplomacy towards the advancement of nationhood and sustainable development interests.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements of the UPLB Graduate School and the School of Environmental Science and Management, an applicant to the program must have:

• Completed an MS/MA degree or with equivalent degrees (LLB/Med/Masters/Professional Masters);
• at least 3 years of relevant experience and practice or currently employed in institutions concerned with diplomacy and negotiations for the environment;
• submitted a statement of research interest or research concept proposal; and
• met the minimum requirements of the UPLB Graduate School and SESAM. (See UPLB GS Policies on Admission: gs.uplb.edu.ph/admission/how-to-apply)

Minimum Course Requirements

Requirements for Candidacy

A student seeking to qualify for candidacy to the Ph.D. degree must have taken and passed any three of the four foundation courses in UPLB.

In addition, the student must pass a qualifying examination to be given by a guidance and advisory committee at a time within the schedule of course work prescribed by the committee.

To pass the examination, the student must not receive any negative vote from any member of his/her advisory committee before registering in the second semester of residency.

To be conferred with a degree, the student must pass both the written and oral examination given by the examination committee and must be able to defend the dissertation.

For more information about the program, please contact:

The Dean or the Program Coordinator

School of Environmental Science and Management
UP Los Baños, College, Laguna

• +63 49 536 2836/3080
• +63 49 536 2251
• sesam.uplb.edu.ph