Planetary health education in practice: public health, climate change, and transdisciplinary learning at University of New England

The accelerating impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss demand an educational paradigm that integrates ecological and human health systems. The University of New England has implemented a transdisciplinary Planetary Health framework to connect public health, environmental sciences, and health professions. Between 2020 and 2025, UNE’s Planetary Health Council and the Center to Advance Interprofessional Education and Practice co-hosted a series of online and in-person events addressing interconnected issues such as pandemic resilience, environmental injustice, chemical pollution, and biodiversity loss, among others. Post-event surveys from 502 active participants in five events demonstrated strong engagement and positive perceptions of the event format. Respondents frequently cited appreciation for diverse disciplinary perspectives, relevance to professional practice, and delivery format. Suggestions for improvement focused on expanding discussion time and providing deeper topic exploration. Participation data further indicated that virtual and hybrid delivery formats enhanced accessibility and broadened engagement across disciplines. This descriptive retrospecti