On May 14, 2025, Professor António Teodoro visited the Baixa da Banheira and Vale da Amoreira School Group (AEBBVA),

located in the municipality of Moita. The visit took place in the context of the doctoral research of Ana Cristina Rainha, a PhD candidate and FCT fellow (ref. 2023.01507.BDANA), under Professor Teodoro’s supervision, who is currently conducting part of her empirical work in this school community.

The main goal of the visit was to become familiar with the non-academic environment where the research is being carried out and to engage directly with students and teachers. Professor Teodoro was warmly welcomed by the educational community, creating a positive atmosphere for dialogue and reflection.

During the visit, he spoke with students from the 8th and 12th grades, who listened attentively and actively participated in a rich and constructive conversation on various historical and social themes, such as the former Portuguese colonies, the Carnation Revolution (25th of April), and Nelson Mandela’s legacy of justice, freedom, and human dignity, among other interconnected topics tied to the students' own life stories.

The visit also had a meaningful impact on the ongoing research. Ana Cristina Rainha’s doctoral thesis focuses on Education for Citizenship that Promotes Sustainable Development, aiming to understand how this approach is being implemented in the lower secondary education (grades 7–9) in Portugal, particularly in the context of the current climate and social emergencies. At AEBBVA, she is conducting interviews with project coordinators involved with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as analysing relevant institutional documents.

This kind of direct interaction between academia and school communities reflects a participatory research approach that strengthens the ties between university and society, contributing to more grounded and transformative knowledge production.