Plenary Speakers
Delfín Ortega-Sánchez
Delfín Ortega-Sánchez holds PhDs in the Didactics of History and Social Sciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, in Education from the University of Burgos, and in History from the University of Extremadura. His research interests focus on education for democratic, inclusive citizenship that is engaged with relevant social problems, socially acute questions, and controversial issues. These interests guide the activities of the Recognized Research Group DHISO, which he leads.
Ortega-Sánchez’s research career has been distinguished by his nomination as one of the top ten social sciences researchers globally in the seventh edition of the Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) Prize 2022. This nomination was proposed by an international jury including several Nobel laureates and the top 1% of scientists in their respective fields.
Currently, he serves as the Vice-Rector for Social Responsibility, Culture, and Sports at the University of Burgos, where he oversees the promotion of equality, diversity, social inclusion, and non-discrimination. Additionally, he directs the Chair of Human Rights and Democratic Culture, the first of its kind in collaboration with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland.
Rui Gomes
Centro de Investigação de Psicologia, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
Rui Gomes is an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Minho, Portugal. He received his academic degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD) in the field of Psychology, from the University of Minho. In research, he is interested in human adaptation to stress, team leadership and performance, and life skills training and human development. He is responsible for the research group Adaptation, Performance and Human Development (www.ardh.pt), whose results are disseminated in the community by the School of Life Skills (www.e-cv.pt). His intervention focuses on the area of sports psychology and life skills training in different contexts and age groups.
Mark Daubney
Mark Daubney is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Languages and Literatures at the School of Education and Social Sciences-Politécnico de Leiria. He coordinates the English Department and has coordinated the Chinese-Portuguese-English Studies program and teacher training courses for primary school English teachers.
He is Politécnico de Leiria’s mentor to English Teaching Assistants on the US Fulbright Program and has taught English language, culture, and EFL methodology disciplines.
Mark participates in European Union-funded projects and gives talks regularly at national and international conferences. He is the co-editor of New Insights into
Language Anxiety: Theory, Research, and Educational Implications, published by Multilingual Matters, and is also co-editor of Developing as an EFL Researcher: Stories from the Field, a collection of papers published by IATEFL.
His research interests broadly focus on understanding the role and impact of personality, agency, identity, and emotions – among these anxiety, laughter, and motivation – on teachers and learners.
Dora Arenga
Dora Arenga is the U.S. Program Manager at the Fulbright Commission in Portugal. Dora administers all programs for U.S. citizens interested in pursuing a study, teaching, or research project in Portugal under the Fulbright Program of educational exchange. Dora has a degree in Sociology and a particular interest in Education as a vehicle for social mobility, respect for diversity, and inclusion.
Hannah Bernier
Hannah Bernier was a 2022-2023 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at the Politécnico de Leiria, School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS). She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022 with a B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies, and a B.A. in Portuguese.
She is currently a J.D. student at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and plans to practice water law in the Southwestern United States.
Bushra Rahman
Bushra Rahman is a 2023-2024 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at the Politécnico de Leiria, School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS). She graduated from Emory University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology & Human Biology, as well as a second major in Spanish & Portuguese. Bushra has been in Leiria since September of 2023.
As an English Teaching Assistant, she helps in teaching Communications and Media and Business English classes at ESECS, as well as giving presentations on American culture at Don Dinis EB 2/3 school, Leiria. She is certain her experience as a Fulbrighter will provide valuable cross-cultural insights for her professional aspirations in healthcare. She plans to attend medical school upon returning to the U.S. this summer.
Seminar Speakers
Hélia Gonçalves Pinto
Hélia Gonçalves Pinto has a PhD in Mathematics Didactics from the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon and is an Adjunct Professor at the Higher School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria (ESECS/PLeiria). It has collaborated in the creation of study cycles in the area of teacher training (bachelor’s and master’s degrees), as well as training actions for Portuguese and PALOP teachers. He coordinates the Master’s Degree in Education and Pedagogical Innovation and is a member of the General Council of PLeiria. As a researcher in several projects funded by FCT and others, she is interested in the areas of Mathematics Education and Teacher Training and, consequently, has been the author of several scientific and didactic publications. He coordinates the hub of the Center for Studies in Education and Innovation (CI&DEI) of PLeiria and the Research Working Group (GTI) of the Association of Mathematics Teachers (APM). He is part of the direction of the Journal of Education and Social Sciences of ESECS.
Nicole Duarte
Nicole Duarte holds a PhD in Education, specializing in Mathematics Didactics, from the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon and is an Invited Adjunct Professor at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria. She is an integrated researcher at the Centre for Studies in Education and Innovation (CI&DEI) and has been researching classroom study in initial teacher training, with a focus on the development of their didactic knowledge, particularly regarding collective discussion. She is part of research teams within the scope of the projects Introducing classroom study in initial teacher education and Computational thinking in initial teacher education in the early years.
João Pedro da Ponte
João Pedro da Ponte holds a PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia (USA) (1984) and is a full Professor of Mathematics Didactics at the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon. He was the Director of this Institute and a visiting Professor at Universities in Brazil and Spain. He coordinated research projects in Mathematics Didactics, Teacher Training, and ICT. He has supervised 48 doctoral theses and 91 master’s theses. He has been researching the professional practice, knowledge, and professional development of teachers, with special attention to classroom studies and the teaching-learning of numbers, algebra, and mathematical reasoning. He has published books, chapters, and articles in journals such as Educational Studies in Mathematics, ZDM, Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, RELIME, Acta Scientiae, and BOLEMA. He was the author of the proposal to adapt the Bologna Process in initial teacher education. He coordinated the team that developed the Mathematics program for basic education in 2007. He collaborates with the Association of Mathematics Teachers (APM), is a member of the Research Working Group (GTI).
Sandrina Milhano
Coordinating Professor at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria. Integrated researcher at Ci&DEI – Centre for Studies in Education & Innovation, Polytechnic of Leiria. Member of the Orienta4VET [2021-1-ES01-KA220-VET-000033043].
Rita Cadima
Adjunct Professor at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria. Integrated researcher at CIDMA – Centre for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications, University of Aveiro and collaborator at Ci&DEI – Centre for Studies in Education & Innovation, Polytechnic of Leiria. Member of the Orienta4VET [2021-1-ES01-KA220-VET-000033043].
Sara Mónico Lopes
Adjunct Professor at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria. Integrated researcher at Ci&DEI – Centre for Studies in Education & Innovation, Polytechnic of Leiria. Member of the Project Orienta4VET [2021-1-ES01-KA220-VET-000033043].
Catarina Mangas
Adjunct Professor at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria. Researcher at CICS.NOVA. Ipleiria and collaborator at Ci&DEI – Centre for Studies in Education & Innovation, Polytechnic of Leiria. Member of Orienta4VET [2021-1-ES01-KA220-VET-000033043].
Miguel Jerónimo
Researcher at Ci&DEI – Centre for Studies in Education & Innovation, Polytechnic of Leiria. Member of the Project Orienta4VET [2021-1-ES01-KA220-VET-000033043].
Maria João Coelho
Vice-diretor Agrupamento de Escolas Henrique Sommer
Catarina Pessoa
Diretor Escola Técnico Profissional de Cantanhede
Ana Fontes
Teacher trainer Escola Técnico Profissional de Cantanhede
Speakers Research Units
Romain Gillain
Romain Gillain is a Coordinator Professor in the Department of Languages and Literatures at the School of Education and Social Sciences (Politécnico de Leiria). Presently, he is the Director of Documentation Services and Libraries of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, where he has been a professor since 2003.
He gained his PhD in Spanish Philology from Oviedo University, Spain. His research interests include lexicography, lexicology, the language of sports, French-speaking cartoons, and teaching Spanish and French as a Foreign Language.
Ricardo Filipe da Silva Pocinho
Graduated in Law, in 2003, from the International University of Figueira da Foz, Doctor in Formacion Processes and Virtual Spaces, in 2009, from the University of Salamanca – Instituto de Ciencias de la Educacion and Doctor in Psychogerontology, in 2014, from the University of Valencia . He is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the Higher School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria and Coordinator of the Postgraduate Course in Risk and Wellbeing in Organizations, at the same school.
He is President of ANGES – National Association of Social Gerontology, Social Judge at the Judicial Court of the District of Coimbra and Researcher integrated into the Leiria Center of CICS.NOVA.
José Pedro Santos Cadima Amoroso
Adjunct Professor in Department of Human Motricity and Artistic Languages, School of Education and Social Sciences of Leiria, has over 20 years of professional experience in the field of Physical Education and Sport. He has founded Leiria Flying Objects (LFO) Club (2012), was President of the National Association of Ultimate and Sports Disc (2017-2022). Since (2019) he is WFDF University and School Sports Commission – Chair, WFDF Sport for All and Development Commission – chair as well. Since (2021) he is a board member at WFDF and Chair of the Spirit of the Game (SOTG) Commission. He´s a Lecture in Polytechnic of Leiria (IPLeiria-ESECS) (JA) teaches in the areas of Education, Pedagogy, Ethics in Sports, master’s degree in Pre-School Education and Preschool Education. Teaches Racket Sports, Volleyball and others and is also a researcher in (CIEQV) He was Coordinator of the Comenius Program in Jardim Escola João de Deus – Leiria “The Ted’s Project” (2013- 2015); Coordinator of the ERASMUS program in Jardim Escola João de Deus – Leiria “Educating Emotions Program Esther in Europe” (2014-2016); Coordinator of the Comenius Program in the Social Center of Pousos “Cycling Through the times and places” (2013-2015); HE.ST.I.A. ‘Helping Students in Acceptance’ (2017- 2019); PT Coordinator of the ERASMUS + project Village on Move Network – VOMNET (2018-2019); PT Coordinator of the ERASMUS + project Village on Move GO (2019- 2022) (ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7901-5568)
Luís Pedro Inácio Coelho
Has about 20 years of professional experience in the field of Physical Education and Sport, with references to the areas of Fitness, Education, Physical Education and Pedagogy. He´s a full time Professor at Polytechnic of Leiria (IPLeiria-ESECS). Nowadays, LC professional activities involve teaching bachelor’s degrees such as Sports and Well-Being and Elementary Education. Usually teaches the curricular units of Motor Development, Control and Learning, Biomechanics, Internship, Final Project (investigation) and others. He also teaches on master’s degrees, such as Adapted Education – Cognitive and Motor Development (curricular unit of Kinetics) and Pre-School Education. He is a researcher in (CIEQV) and has experience of having been the local coordinator (Leiria). He was part of a work group responsible to implement a Bike Sharing Program for all the community of the Polytechnic of Leiria, with the main purpose to promote the adoption of electric bikes as a primary transport commuting to school and home. In recent years, he has served on the school board of directors. (ORCID-https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0515-3466)
David das Neves Silva
has about 20 years of professional experience in the field of Physical Education and Sport, with references to the areas of Football, Education, Physical Education and Pedagogy. He´s an Invited Assistant Professor at Leiria Polytechnic Institute (IPLeiria-ESECS), a researcher in (CIEQV), a high school teacher at High School Francisco Rodrigues Lobo (ESFRL), and a staff member of the Local Coordination of Sports Schools of Leiria (CLDE). Nowadays, DC professional activities in IPLeiria-ESECS, involves teaching on bachelor degrees such as Sports Biomechanics and Sports Pedagogy, regarding ESFRL is professional activities involves teaching Physical Education and be class director, and concerning CLDE he´s the support teacher of several sports, being responsible at a local level and providing support in regional and national organizations. (ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9329-3417 )
Workshop Speakers
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Workshop: Mystery Boxes: a student-centered learning model
Workshop synopsis: During this workshop, we will share with the audience a practical example of how to work with inquiry-based learning. Playfully, participants will have the opportunity to interact with the various components of this student-centered approach and understand how they can easily transform expository classes into activities that involve students in a more immersive learning experience.
Convener: Rosa Doran
Rosa Doran
Rosa Doran is one of the founders and current President of the Executive Board of the NGO NUCLIO – Interactive Center for Astronomy and Innovation in Education. She is also Chair of the Galileo Teacher Training Program, Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the Global Hands-on Universe Association, Chair of the Portuguese Language Office of Astronomy for Development, and Chair of the COSPAR Education Panel.
Since her childhood, she has been fascinated by astronomy and the wonders of the Universe, which led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Physics and study Black Holes. She received a PhD in Science Education from the University of Coimbra, and she is an expert in teacher training and innovation in education.
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Oficina: Dance in the song lyrics
Workshop synopsis: In this practical workshop, participants will learn about dances from different cultures and explore traditional and popular dances from Portugal, especially from the central region. Between the dances, occasionally, participants are taken to learn about aspects of the research path, from collecting the dances to the intervention. Participants can experience teaching methodologies and techniques in teaching more structured dances, such as traditional dances, developing sensitivity to the possibility of forming an expressive, socio-affective and cultural rhythmic motor repertoire. “This will be a special workshop, at the same time as dancing there will be a brief analysis of the interpretation of the lyrics of some songs and their relationship with dance.
Promoter: Marisa Barroso
Marisa Barroso
Marisa Barroso Assistant Professor and Researcher at the Higher School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria. PhD in the area of Sports Sciences, branch of Child Motor Development. He is an integrated member of the Quality of Life Research Center (CIEQV). Teaches and coordinates several dance curricular units with special emphasis on traditional and popular dance pedagogy. Coordinates several projects related to dance, valuing the active safeguarding of traditional and popular Portuguese dance, processes associated with the collection of these traditional and popular dances. She promotes projects such as ALL Dance Leiria, Baile dos Pastorinhos and Danças de Porto de Mós, being part of “Aire”, a traditional music and dance group and being responsible for producing the CD “Danças de Porto de Mós”. Standing out as a tireless promoter of the richness and diversity of Portuguese dancing traditions. Recently, he participated in the Pé de Chumbo Association’s “De Volta aos Bailes Mandados” project, where he studied the Lousã mandado fado.
EDUCATION AND MEDIA
Workshop: Disinformation and digital citizenship
Workshop synopsis: The session will focus on the main mechanisms of disinformation on the internet and aims to promote tools to identify the veracity of online content. It includes a debate on digital citizenship and the presentation of free personal training paths on these topics for anyone interested.
Convener: Paulo Agostinho
Dina Margato
Paulo Agostinho has been a journalist at The Lusa News Agency for 25 years, starting as a correspondent in Leiria and later being editor of National, International, and Lusophony section. He has been teaching at the School of Education and Social Sciences since 2002, participating at the beginning of the Social Communication and Multimedia Education graduation. Furthermore, he is a professor at the Institute of Education and Sciences and at the European University, in Lisbon. He is undertaking a PhD in Communication Sciences, on the theme “Disinformation in news agencies”, and is also a trainer at Escola Lusa and Iberifier.