The University of Nairobi (UoN) has launched a new doctoral programme offering 15 fully funded PhD positions in Anthropology through a cross-continental doctoral network linking Africa and Europe.
The programme was unveiled on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during the launch and kick-off event of the HEALENAE project, hosted by the University’s Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies.
HEALENAE — Health and Environment in Africa and Europe — is a consortium of seven universities drawn from Africa and Europe. The institutions include the University of Nairobi (Kenya), Aarhus University (Denmark), University of Cape Town (South Africa), University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom), KU Leuven (Belgium), Makerere University (Uganda), and the University of Oslo (Norway).
According to UoN, the HEALENAE Doctoral Network will use an interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral anthropological approach to address linked health and environmental challenges facing communities in Africa and Europe. The programme brings together expertise in anthropology, global health, environmental studies, and regional studies.
A total of 15 PhD positions will be fully funded for three years.
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“You are welcome to apply for more than one project, but note that you have to apply directly to the universities where the projects are located. Please carefully read the application procedures for each recruiting university,” the University of Nairobi said in a statement.
The available PhD research areas include:
- Metabolic impacts of agricultural intensification and health changes
- Climate change, migration, and care for the elderly
- Environmental toxicity and human well-being
- Livestock management, biodiversity, and zoonotic diseases
- Epidemics, disease, and state formation in Africa
- Climate crisis, youth migration, and health outcomes
- Urban living and environmental extraction
- Gender and cancer epidemics
- Toxic evidence and civic protection
- Biosecurity, food safety, and animal diseases
- Non-communicable diseases and environmental repair
- Urban environments, infrastructure, and health
- Youth mental health and gambling during environmental crises
- Epidemics and natural disasters as economic activity
- Vector-borne diseases in Africa and Europe
Speaking during the launch, the University’s Vice-Chancellor praised the programme, noting that it supports UoN’s mission of transforming society and strengthening international partnerships. She also encouraged students to take advantage of global learning opportunities. The Vice-Chancellor was represented at the event by Prof. Jack Odhiambo, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
The Director of the Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, Prof. Onyango Ouma, welcomed researchers and co-supervisors from partner institutions and thanked them for their efforts in developing the programme. He encouraged interested students and staff to apply.
Interested candidates are advised to submit applications through the application portal of the host university offering their preferred research topic. More details are available on the HEALENAE website.
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