ANSER Doctoral Course on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Opens Applications for 2026
Applications are now open for the ANSER Doctoral Course on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), an international online learning opportunity designed specifically for current PhD candidates researching issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Taking place from 16–27 November 2026, the interactive course will bring together doctoral researchers from different countries, institutions, and academic disciplines. Delivered entirely online through Zoom, the programme offers participants an opportunity to strengthen their research knowledge, engage with global SRHR debates, and build connections with fellow researchers working in this important field.
The course is organised under the umbrella of ANSER, with collaboration from several leading universities and research institutions: Karolinska Institutet, Ghent University, the University of the Western Cape, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and the University of Cape Town.
Strengthening SRHR Research Skills
Sexual and reproductive health and rights remain central to global health, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development. Researchers working in this field must navigate complex scientific evidence, policy environments, social realities, and differences between national and regional contexts.
The ANSER doctoral course is designed to help PhD candidates develop a deeper and more critical understanding of these challenges. Participants will explore global SRHR issues while considering opportunities for research, policy engagement, and practical impact.
One of the major benefits of the course is its emphasis on interactive learning. Rather than simply receiving information through lectures, participants will have opportunities to critically discuss research and engage with other doctoral researchers.
What Participants Can Gain
The programme offers several valuable opportunities for PhD candidates.
First, participants can deepen their understanding of global SRHR challenges and opportunities. This can help researchers place their individual doctoral projects within wider international debates and identify how their work connects to broader health, development, and rights agendas.
Second, the course aims to strengthen SRHR research skills. For doctoral candidates, developing the ability to formulate strong research questions, critically assess evidence, and communicate findings effectively is essential for producing high-quality research.
Participants will also learn to critically engage with scientific literature and policy processes. Understanding the relationship between academic research and policymaking is particularly important for researchers whose work seeks to influence health systems, programmes, legislation, or public policy.
Another major benefit is academic networking. The course will bring together PhD researchers from different institutions and disciplines, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, discuss research challenges, and potentially establish future collaborations.
An International Learning Environment
The involvement of universities from Europe and Africa gives the programme a particularly international character. Researchers will have the opportunity to engage with perspectives from different academic and geographical settings.
This diversity can be especially valuable in SRHR research because sexual and reproductive health challenges are shaped by social, cultural, economic, legal, political, and healthcare contexts. Learning from researchers working in different environments can therefore help doctoral candidates broaden their understanding and approach their own research questions from new perspectives.
The online format also makes participation more accessible to researchers who may be unable to travel internationally for doctoral training.
Who Can Apply?
An important eligibility requirement is that the course is open only to current PhD candidates.
This means the opportunity is particularly relevant to doctoral researchers whose work focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights, global health, public health, gender, reproductive justice, health policy, population studies, or related areas.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the full eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting their applications.
Important Dates
The course will take place online via Zoom from 16–27 November 2026.
The application deadline is 11 September 2026, giving interested PhD candidates limited time to prepare and submit their applications.
Because doctoral training opportunities with an international focus can be highly competitive, eligible researchers should begin preparing their applications early. Applicants should ensure that their academic background, research interests, and motivation for participating in the course are clearly presented.
Why This Opportunity Matters
For PhD candidates working in SRHR, the ANSER doctoral course provides more than short-term academic training. It offers an opportunity to engage with an international community of researchers and examine how evidence, research, and policy intersect in addressing some of the world’s most important health and rights challenges.
The programme may also help participants develop professional networks that continue beyond the two-week course. Connections established during doctoral training can lead to future research collaborations, academic exchanges, publications, conferences, and other opportunities.
For researchers interested in making their work more internationally relevant, the course provides a valuable space to exchange perspectives and learn from peers working across different disciplines and regions.
Application Information
Programme: ANSER Doctoral Course on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
Format: Online via Zoom
Dates: 16–27 November 2026
Application deadline: 11 September 2026
Eligibility: Current PhD candidates only
Focus: Sexual and reproductive health and rights, research, scientific literature, policy, and academic networking
PhD candidates interested in strengthening their SRHR research skills and connecting with researchers internationally should consider applying before the 11 September 2026 deadline.
The course is organised through a collaboration involving Karolinska Institutet, Ghent University, the University of the Western Cape, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and the University of Cape Town, under the ANSER network.
For eligible doctoral researchers, this is an excellent opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, strengthen research skills, and become part of an international community working to advance knowledge and action on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
