Approximately 5,000 participants at Science 2018

For three days, from July 2 to 4, the Portuguese scientific community gathered at Ciência 2018 – Meeting with Science and Technology in Portugal. More than 5,000 participants registered, taking part in almost 800 presentations divided into 100 sessions.

More than 700 posters were presented and eight plenary sessions were held, attended by figures such as the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Prime Minister, António Costa, the Minister of the Presidency and Administrative Modernization, Maria Leitão Marques, the Minister of the Environment, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Science, chaired by Alexandre Quintanilha, the European Commissioner for Research, Science, and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, and the Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Communication of São Tomé and Príncipe, Olinto Daio. The dignitaries were welcomed by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor, the President of the Foundation for Science and Technology, Paulo Ferrão, the President of Ciência Viva, Rosalia Vargas, and the Commissioner for Science 2018, Alexandra Marques. 

The meeting was organized around various scientific and technological areas and the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, with South Africa as the guest country. The design of the future 9th European Framework Program for Research and Innovation, 2021-2028, was also discussed. In the space dedicated to the demonstration of research carried out by research units, 80 demonstrations were on display.

The work of individuals who contributed to the development of science in Portugal was also recognized with the presentation of the 2018 Science Merit Medals. For the first time, the Arquivo.pt Awards were presented, distinguishing original and innovative works that used old web pages available on Arquivo.pt as a source.

It was also possible to follow the entire event remotely via the YouTube channel and Facebook page of Ciência 2018. Here you can also find information and interviews with researchers and government officials who participated in the meeting.