Organizing Entities

Portuguese Association of Sociology

As a scientific and professional association, APS considers it essential to combine research and teaching activities in order to achieve high levels of national scientific performance and the promotion of quality education, one which guarantees the professional quality of all those who hold a degree in sociology. Alongside the research aspect, and in close interdependence with it, APS has contributed, in articulation with university sociology departments, to enhance and consolidate the teaching of Sociology in Portugal, particularly in view of the dominant technocratization of contemporary societies and the constraints, as well as the opportunities, of the so-called Bologna Process.

The issues raised by the sociologist profession are presently, and perhaps even more strongly than in the past, a matter of the utmost importance. As such, the Association seeks to promote various initiatives on Sociology as a science and profession. The debate on these questions is at hand, and APS invites all its members and the Portuguese sociological community in general to participate in it. (...)

APS organizes the Portuguese Congress of Sociology every two years, in addition to Intercongress Meetings, Seminars, and Conferences. The Congress is undoubtedly a major national scientific event, having garnered sponsorship from the Portuguese President and Parliament as a sign of public recognition for the activity of Portuguese sociologists.

Local Committee

Sociology group of FEUC, do CES, da CMC e da CIM.

Organizing Entities Messages

Associação Portuguesa de Sociologia [APS]

The APS is a non-profit association dedicated to:

-Promote Sociology development;

-Encouraging research, communication and scientific debate;

-Support Sociologist professional activity;

-Endorse and disseminate Portuguese sociological analysis;

-Sponsor Portuguese sociologist integration in the international Sociological community;

-Publicise amongst institutions and public opinion the nature, added value, importance and contribution of Sociology;

-Establish relationships with other scientific areas.

The Portuguese Sociological Association has more than two thousand members, being one of the largest international organizations of its kind. Every two years, we hold a Conference where scholars and other professionals meet to debate issues crucial to Sociology and sociologists. Besides the Portuguese community, our Conference usually has a strong presence of experts from other countries.

Established in 1988 each congress has been dedicated to a generic theme. It is with an immense delight that we see that both participants as well as communications have been considerable increasing through times.

To discuss whether the polarization of society has led us to a point of no return is one of the objectives of the XII Portuguese Congress of Sociology, titled Polarized Societies? Challenges for Sociology, which will take place between April 4 and 6, 2023, and is organized by the APS and the local commission of the sociology group of FEUC, CES, CMC, and CIM.

Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra [FEUC]

The Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra (FEUC) was founded on 2 of December 1972 and is one of the eight faculties of the University of Coimbra. Its activity began with the degree in Economics, but soon knew how to follow the challenges of the Portuguese society of the last quarter of the twentieth century, extending its training mission to the degrees of Sociology, Management and International Relations.

At the level of the first cycle of studies, the teaching of Sociology at FEUC began in 1988. In 2023, the year in which the XII Congress of APS will occur at FEUC, the 35th anniversary of the beginning of the Degree in Sociology and the 30th anniversary of the first FEUC graduates in Sociology are symbolically celebrated.

Besides the first cycle of studies, FEUC also hosts a strong presence of second and third cycle studies. FEUC offers 11 master's programmes, 14 doctoral programmes (some in partnership with other Faculties of the University of Coimbra or other Portuguese universities, as well as in partnership with the Centre for Social Studies) and 8 MBA or postgraduate courses. In total, this Faculty welcomes around 2,800 students.

There are several master's and doctoral programmes with Sociology as the main disciplinary area.

Centro de Estudos Sociais – Universidade de Coimbra [CES-UC]

The Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra (CES-UC) is a scientific institution focused on research and advanced training within the Social Sciences and the Humanities, through an inter and transdisciplinary approach. Since its foundation, in 1978, CES has been conducting research with and for an inclusive, innovative and reflexive society by promoting creative critical approaches in the face of some of the most urging challenges of contemporary societies and by centring its scientific strategy around democratizing knowledge, revitalizing human rights and establishing science as a public good. CES’ work covers a wide range of scientific and outreach activities, at national and international level, with a particular focus on North-South, South-North and South-South dialogues. By fostering innovative epistemologies and methodologies, contributing to the development of critical thinking and to the construction of tools to undertake a critical analysis of society, and by broadening citizen’s and civil society’s engagement in scientific culture, CES aims to support the formulation of public policies through the development of applied research across a wide range of areas that have an impact on the well-being of societies.