News

In a recent opinion piece published in PÚBLICO, Professor António Teodoro, Director of CeiED and of the Institute of Education, argues that science must not be treated merely as an appendix to the economy, warning against the growing instrumentalisation of research. The author stresses that scientific knowledge has intrinsic cultural, social and democratic value that goes beyond immediate economic returns.

The article calls for public policies that recognise the autonomy of science while strengthening its contribution to addressing major societal challenges. It also highlights the need to protect long-term research, critical thinking and academic freedom within contemporary science systems.

Read the full article.

CeiED – Interdisciplinary Centre for Education and Development announces the reception of Dr Julio Bertolin, researcher at the Brazilian community universities Uniplac (University of the Santa Catarina Plateau) and UPF (University of Passo Fundo).

This visit, taking place from 15 January to 15 March 2026, is carried out within the framework of the FCT Mobility programme, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

During the two-month stay, Dr Bertolin will develop a work plan in close collaboration with Professor Cristina Sin, researcher at CeiED. This partnership aims to strengthen scientific ties between Portugal and Brazil in the field of higher education policy.

The project focuses on the analysis of international student mobility, with particular emphasis on students from groups with lower cultural capital. The study will use microdata from MEC/Inep (Brazil) as empirical material, enabling a robust and in-depth analysis of inequalities in access to internationalisation.

Dr Bertolin’s presence reinforces CeiED’s international vocation and its mission to produce relevant knowledge on equity in education.

The Director of the Master’s Programme in Special Education and a member of CeiED at Universidade Lusófona

On 12 January 2026, a working meeting of the partners of the ArlekinPro project took place in Brussels, Belgium. ArlekinPro – Access for All to a European Certification in Social Mediation through Accompanied Immersion in the EU is coordinated in Portugal by Elisabete Pinto da Costa, integrated researcher at CeiED – Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development. The meeting brought together the research team and project partners to monitor the progress of ongoing activities, align methodological procedures, and plan the next phases of implementation.

Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, ArlekinPro aims to promote inclusive access to a European certification in social mediation through an innovative training pathway that combines distance learning, accompanied practical immersions in European contexts, and the awarding of recognised micro-credentials. During the meeting, key aspects of the project were discussed, namely:

• the organisation of the training modules;
• the preparation of international mobility activities;
• the strengthening of social mediators’ professional competences.

The meeting highlighted the interdisciplinary and applied nature of ArlekinPro, as well as its contribution to the professional recognition of social mediation and to the promotion of social cohesion and inclusion, in line with CeiED’s mission to develop research with scientific relevance and social impact.

CeiED – the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development – was a partner in the organisation of the II International Congress on Challenges in Education: Global Challenges and Innovative Solutions, held online on 14 and 15 November 2025.

The Scientific Director of CeiED – the Interdisciplinary Centre for Education and Development, Professor António Teodoro