Maria José Costa participates in the podcast “Science Inspires Me!”

Maria José Costa researcher at MARE – Centre for Marine and Environmental Sciences, recently participated in an episode of the second season of the podcast “A Ciência Inspira-me!” (Science Inspires Me!), an initiative promoted by AMONET – Association of Women Scientists. 

In this episode, Maria José Costa – retired Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and one of the 100 scientists honoured by Ciência Viva on International Women's Day – takes us on a journey through her memories, experiences and reflections on a life dedicated to science, the sea and training new generations of researchers.

With a career marked by scientific and institutional contributions of great relevance, the researcher recalls her first steps in science, motivated by a long-standing passion for the sea:

"I have always been fascinated by the sea (...) I have always lived in Almada, and we spent the three summer months on the coast of Caparica. I would swim out to the boats that did the Xávega, with the fishermen's children who were our age, so I lived (always) connected to the sea."

Throughout the episode, Maria José Costa shares unique stories from her academic and scientific career, including her PhD in Paris, which she completed during politically challenging times in Portugal. She also reflects on the role of scientific collaboration networks, international mobility, and the need to inspire and train new generations: "The most rewarding thing for me, and the most important thing for my career, was leaving a school. I always tried to get my PhD students to do things that were not just a continuation of myself.”

The researcher, who also led AMONET, highlighted the importance of scientific associations and the representation of women in science: “Very little is said about science (in Portugal), and very little about women in science. We have to move forward, and AMONET has a very important role to play."

Maria José Costa concludes the conversation with a message of enthusiasm and commitment to science: ‘(Science) is immensely inspiring, not only inspiring, but also rewarding.’

The podcast ‘A Ciência Inspira-me!’ (Science Inspires Me!), now in its second season, is produced by AMONET with technical support from Rádio Belém and institutional support from FCT. The aim of the project is to highlight the role of science in society and give a voice to scientists who share their personal and professional journeys in an inspiring way.

To access the episode, click HERE.