MARE attends the 1st National Conference of the Portuguese Association for Science Management

On 8 October 2025, the University of Aveiro hosted the 1st National Conference of the Portuguese Association for Science Management (SCIGESTPT). This was a landmark moment that marked the official launch of the new association dedicated to promoting, training and representing professionals in the field of science, technology and innovation management in Portugal. 

The event brought together around 150 professionals from across the country, including science managers, researchers, institutional representatives and policy makers, for a day entirely dedicated to dialogue, reflection and collaborative construction on the strategic role of science management in national research institutions.

MARE – Centre for Marine and Environmental Sciences was represented by its science managers Filipa Lacerda and Mélanie Costa. According to Filipa Lacerda, “The existence of an association such as SGIGESTPT will make it possible, for the first time in Portugal, to have science management professionals represented in an organised manner, thus enabling different decision-makers to be effectively made aware of the importance of science managers and also achieving recognition for the profession. It is also worth highlighting the breaks that allowed science managers to interact at an event that was entirely dedicated to them."

The main objectives of the meeting were to officially present SCIGESTPT and its mission, consolidate the recognition of science management as a strategic area, promote the exchange of good practices and the strengthening of professional networks, identify challenges and define priorities for enhancing careers in this area, as well as stimulate debate on the future of public policies on science, innovation and funding.

To this end, the programme featured two prominent round tables:

‘The strategic role of science managers in Portugal – challenges and opportunities’, which brought together representatives from different higher education institutions and research centres. During the debate, the definition and importance of science managers was discussed, highlighting the need for policies that promote the professionalisation, enhancement and integration of this role into institutional culture.

‘What decision-makers expect from the integration of science management in Portugal’

With the participation of prominent figures from the national scientific system, this round table reflected on the relevance of science managers in the evolution of the R&D system. During the session, it was highlighted how the increase in the number and importance of these professionals ‘is a product of the maturity of the scientific system’.

The conference also included a session dedicated to good practices in science management, with the presentation of European projects and testimonials from international networks such as ARMA-NLe and the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA).

SCIGESTPT is the result of the consolidation of the former Science Interface Platform (PIC), formalised as an association on 25 September 2025, and its mission is to represent, empower and enhance the value of professionals working in the management and support of the science, technology and innovation system in Portugal.