ULusófona puts science in the spotlight at the 6th edition of ‘Criar Ciência & Fazer Inovação’

On 10 September, Lusófona University hosted the 6th edition of ‘Criar Ciência & Fazer Inovação made in Lusófona’, an initiative dedicated to promoting scientific research, pedagogical innovation and the connection between science and society.

Held in the Agostinho da Silva Auditorium, the event brought together over 100 participants, both in person and online, including researchers, lecturers, students, institutional representatives from ULusófona and external participants.

Throughout the day, experiences, projects and best practices were shared across various areas of scientific activity. The programme included the presentation of the Fazer+ | Excellence in Research 2025 Awards, as well as the projects nominated for Best Innovative Teaching Practice and Best Research Practices in Teaching, recognising initiatives that bring research closer to teaching practices and innovation in education.

The preparation of competitive grant applications was also a key focus of the panel discussion “COFAC Talks: From Idea to Application – Writing, Collaboration and Scientific Excellence”, which brought together female researchers from various UI&Ds — HEI-Lab, CIDEFES, CBIOS and I-MVET — to share their experiences on developing scientific ideas, building partnerships and funding strategies.

The link between research and society was discussed during the panel session ‘COFAC Talks: Impact – Science that Leaves its Mark’, which featured researchers and representatives from various institutions, including the Alcoitão Centre for Rehabilitation Medicine and the National Defence Institute. The session provided an opportunity to reflect on how scientific knowledge can help address social, professional and institutional challenges.

The programme also included a presentation on the practical experience of coordinating a COST Action, from the preparation of the application through to the implementation phase, enabling participants to gain a better understanding of the challenges associated with managing international collaborative projects.

One of the new features of this edition was the ‘PhD in 3 Minutes: Science Live’ initiative, which challenged PhD students at ULusófona to present their research projects in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. The session emphasised clarity, rigour and the ability to communicate science in an accessible way.

During the event, the Science and Innovation Exhibition also showcased projects, findings and initiatives developed within the ULusófona’s scientific ecosystem, fostering contact between researchers, students, lecturers and partners.

The day concluded with the presentation of the Fazer+ | 2026 awards and the prizes for the first edition of ‘PhD in 3 Minutes’, reinforcing ULusófona’s commitment to promoting research, innovation and science communication.