Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA) is a research unit (RU) created in 2015, as the result of a synergetic merge of: CESNOVA – Centre for Sociological Studies and e-GEO – Centre for Geography and Regional Planning, both hosted by NOVA FCSH, and CICS – Research Centre for Social Sciences hosted by Minho University. These three research units had already a broad scientific activity. It is important not to neglect that work, so the websites of those former research units will remain available below. There one can find all the research developed by our researchers before they joined 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).
Currently, CICS.NOVA directs its research towards four key scientific and social challenges, structuring its actions according to specific objectives:
Climate Change: The climate crisis requires an integrated response from social and environmental sciences. CICS.NOVA contributes with innovative approaches, ranging from ethnographic and participatory studies on climate action to research on impact mitigation in ecosystems and vulnerable populations. The Experimental Soil Erosion Centre is an example of its commitment to producing empirical data to support policymaking.
Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence: The digital revolution is transforming work, the economy, culture, and territories. CICS.NOVA researchers, particularly those at the Technology Assessment Observatory, critically analyze the impact of artificial intelligence and accelerated digitalization, developing methodological tools to understand their ethical and social implications.
Demographic Transition and Intergenerational Dynamics: Population aging and demographic imbalances are urgent challenges. CICS.NOVA’s research covers topics such as demographic trends, public policies, healthcare services, long-term care, migration, housing, and the labor market.
Science and Society: Knowledge production has been influenced by political and economic interests, compromising investment in long-term research. CICS.NOVA explores innovative ways to engage science with society, ensuring autonomy and strengthening the social impact of research.
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.
