Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA)

CICS.NOVA’s mission is to develop interdisciplinary research in social sciences, promoting critical thinking and the integration of knowledge within the communities it is part of, both nationally and internationally.

CICS.NOVA structures its activities around an integrated strategy that encompasses key dimensions such as education and research, science dissemination and communication, co-creation and knowledge transfer, funding acquisition, publishing, and open access. This approach reinforces the unit’s mission to produce interdisciplinary knowledge with significant societal impact, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CICS.NOVA’s strategy extends beyond research, emphasizing the integration of education and research as well as advanced training. The unit’s work is reinforced by its regional hubs in Leiria, Braga, Évora, and the Azores, strengthening territorial impact and consolidating knowledge transfer to policymakers, businesses, and civil society.

Science dissemination and communication play a central role, promoting the publication of decision-support documents, the creation of online resources, and the development of communities of practice. Simultaneously, efforts in funding acquisition and open-access scientific publishing enhance research sustainability.

By aligning with the SDGs, CICS.NOVA reaffirms its commitment to economic, social, cultural, territorial, and environmental impact, establishing itself as a reference center for interdisciplinary knowledge production and the promotion of innovative solutions for both global and local challenges.