Physical geography research in portugal: an analysis of the doctoral theses between 2000 and 2021

In the 21st century, the implementation of doctoral education in Geography has led to an increase in the number of theses focused on Physical Geography. However, little is known about the dynamics inherent to fieldwork techniques, methods, and studied topics. In order to gain a better understanding of this increasing trend and its evolution, this article examines 78 theses published by five public higher education institutions between 2000 and 2021. Through quantitative analysis, the study investigates the data sources, fieldwork techniques, and analytical methods used in the studies covering the topics of Biogeography, Climatology, Hydrology, Geomorphology, and Risk and Planning. From 2007 onward, there was an evident increase in research related to Risk and Planning, underscoring the role of Physical Geography in addressing territorial planning issues. The use of Geographic Information Systems, statistical analysis, and quantitative approaches highlights the significance of data sources and office-based analyses. The geographical context of the institutions where the studies were conducted appears to influence the choice of research areas and topics. The Bologna process, doctoral scholarships granted by the Foundation for Science and Technology, and the increase in funded research projects partially justify the diversity of identified topics and methods.