At NOVA NSPH I found much more than just a place of learning, I found an environment where I was able to grow on many levels. From my Master’s to my PhD, I took part in national and international projects that resulted in publications and conference presentations. I also took on responsibilities as President of the Students’ Association and as a member of the Pedagogical Council, contributing with initiatives that made a real impact on our community. The close relationship with lecturers, researchers and fellow students made this experience unique, created a lasting bond with NOVA NSPH, and strengthened my confidence in the path I chose to follow.
Francisco Madeira
PhD Student
The Postgraduate in Health Economics and Health Outcomes was essential to complement my training in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The classes, materials, and practical examples provided a comprehensive view of Health Economics, which motivated me to pursue a PhD in Public Health at NOVA NSPH. In addition to the knowledge gained, the sharing of experiences among colleagues was enriching. The course boosted my career, allowing me to better understand the healthcare system and evolve as a hospital pharmacist and now as a research fellow.
Ana Rita Santos
Health Economics Researcher – Value for Health CoLAB
My journey at NSPH began 4 years ago when I joined the Master's programme in Public Health, and has been consolidated until I started my PhD. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to take part in national and international research projects that have made a decisive contribution to my academic and professional growth, allowing me to build a solid and diverse network. I actively participated in the school's associative life, which was an enriching experience, not only because of the teamwork and community spirit, but also because I was able to represent and contribute to the continuous improvement of the student pathway at NSPH. NSPH is not only a place for learning, but also a place for belonging, growth and transformation. And it is with great pride that I am part of this community.
Mariana Corda
PhD Student
The motivation to participate in the Postgraduate Course in Health Economics and Health Outcomes stemmed from the desire to gain a deeper understanding of how the Portuguese healthcare ecosystem functions, particularly in relation to the approval of medicines.
The hybrid format of the classes fits well with an active professional life as a Market Access manager in a pharmaceutical company. The diverse experiences of both the instructors and participants make the sessions collaborative and dynamic.
On 6 July 2026, the electronic voting process was held to elect seven members of the Scientific Council of NOVA NSPH for the 2026-2029 term of office.
The election results are hereby published.
To consult the minutes of the election of the Council members, click here.
In accordance with Article 5 of the Regulations, the period for submitting complaints regarding the electoral process is open until 17:00 on 7 July 2026.
NOVA NSPH will hold elections for the constitution of the new Scientific Council on 6 July 2026. The elections have been called in accordance with the Regulations for the Election of the Members of the Scientific Council, approved by Order of 23 June 2026, following a proposal from the Scientific Council itself.
A group of Public Health Resident Doctors attending the 65th Specialisation Course in Public Health (CESP) at the National School of Public Health, NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH), visited Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid on 15 and 16 June 2026.
In addition to the participation of Paulo Sousa, Co-Coordinator of the course and Professor at NOVA NSPH, the initiative also brought together resident doctors from the Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto (ISPUP), who requested to join the visit. Recognised as one of Spain’s leading reference centres in Preventive Medicine and Hospital Public Health, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital has welcomed CESP cohorts from NOVA NSPH since 2019. As in previous editions, the visit enabled participants to gain first-hand insight into the Spanish healthcare system and the approaches adopted in patient safety and public health within the hospital setting.
The first day was dedicated to the scientific session Avanzando en seguridad del paciente: prevención, evidencia e innovación (“Advancing Patient Safety: Prevention, Evidence and Innovation”), organised by the hospital’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Throughout the morning, participants discussed a range of key topics related to infection prevention and control and patient safety in surgical settings, including the reprocessing of single-use medical devices under Regulation (EU) 2017/745, the SAFEST project for the continuous improvement of surgical patient safety, preoperative hair removal and its contribution to infection prevention bundles, root cause analysis of a sentinel event, the impact of multidrug resistance on surgical site infections, recommendations for the prevention of prosthetic joint infections (ICM 2026), and programmes for the prevention of urinary tract infections and the appropriate use of urinary catheterisation. The participation of Esmeralda Nunes, from the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, added a strong Iberian dimension to the exchange of knowledge and good practices.
On the second day, the group was welcomed by the hospital’s management and the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The resident doctors had the opportunity to engage with the department’s professionals, including consultant physicians and specialty residents, exchanging experiences and learning about the different areas of activity of the hospital’s public health team. In addition to exploring the department’s work, participants also visited the Central Sterilisation Unit.
NOVA NSPH maintains a close collaboration with Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, built on the continuous exchange of experience and good practices. Alongside the annual visits organised within the framework of the CESP and mobility activities—implemented through doctoral placements at NOVA NSPH for residents and specialists in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the Madrid hospital—the partnership has also included research placements for Portuguese Public Health resident doctors within the hospital’s teams.
The initiative further strengthened this collaboration and was very positively received by participants, both for the technical knowledge acquired and for the opportunity to reflect on the role of Public Health within the hospital setting, particularly in the current context of the Local Health Units.
Lisbon hosted the 10th edition of the Behaviour Change Conference, organised by the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London (UCL), in partnership with the BE-Change Knowledge Centre at NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH). The event brought together more than 300 participants from 44 countries, including researchers, practitioners, policymakers and representatives of civil society organisations, to discuss the latest advances in the science and application of behaviour change to global challenges in health, sustainability and well-being.
The 2026 edition took place from 16 to 19 June at Colégio Almada Negreiros, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, and also included online participation, enabling an even broader international community to take part. The conference was preceded by a day dedicated to specialised workshops, “Meet the Experts” sessions and networking activities, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and the establishment of new scientific collaborations.
Over two and a half days of scientific programme, participants attended oral presentations, symposia, poster sessions and discussions on the application of behavioural sciences across different contexts. According to Marta Marques, Assistant Professor at NOVA NSPH and co-organiser of the conference, its aim is to promote the “sharing of knowledge and the creation of collaborations for a healthier and more sustainable world, bringing together different sectors and disciplines around evidence-based solutions.”
Among the most anticipated moments were the plenary sessions, featuring presentations by leading national and international experts. The keynote speakers included Marijn de Bruin, from Radboud University Medical Center, Joana Gonçalves de Sá, Principal Investigator at LIP – Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics, and Esther Papies, from Radboud University, all recognised for their work in the fields of behavioural medicine, machine learning and health psychology.
In a message addressed to the conference community, Cristina Godinho, Assistant Professor at NOVA NSPH and co-organiser of the conference, highlighted the collaborative atmosphere that characterised the event, emphasising the importance of “networking with a diverse global community of researchers, practitioners and experts from different sectors.” She also noted that the programme was designed to provide “inspiring keynotes, interactive sessions and opportunities for collaboration, reinforcing the growing role of behavioural sciences in addressing the complex challenges facing contemporary society.”
“The hosting of the Behaviour Change Conference 2026 in Lisbon further strengthened the position of Portugal and NOVA NSPH as a venue for high-profile international scientific events and provided an opportunity to showcase the work carried out by Portuguese researchers and institutions in the field of behavioural sciences,” said Sónia Dias, Dean and Full Professor at NOVA NSPH.
The conference also announced that the online event Conversations about Behaviour Change will take place on 9 and 10 March 2027, jointly organised by the Centre for Behaviour Change at UCL and NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH). The event will promote knowledge sharing and discussion on the latest advances in the science of behaviour change. The call for abstracts and session proposals will open at the end of September 2026. Further information will be announced soon.
