SUSTAINABLE CULTURES: ACADEMIA, IMAGINATION AND THE WORLD OUT THERE
Sustainable Cultures extends CETAPS’s traditional focus on English language-based cultures, literatures, and educational practices. It claims that cultures owe both their self-perception and external recognition not to intrinsic traits, but rather to a set of cultural, linguistic, medial, and epistemic relations. This humanities strategic project hence consolidates our research range by demonstrating that a deeper understanding of historical and current Anglophone cultures requires studying the interactions that have allowed them to attain a global reach. This programme draws on the recent interest, in the humanities and social sciences, in cultural sustainability (Meiris and Rippl, 2019; Jörissen et al., 2023), which positions culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development alongside social, economic, and environmental factors.
Our strategic project for 2025-29 approaches cultural sustainability at 4 levels:
- The Anglophone cultures we study have provided communities with a sense of identity by relying on relationships (rather than self-sufficiency).
- Relational dynamics sustain such cultures also as research subjects; their relationality makes them appealing to us (researchers) – and to those for whom we are mediators, transferring knowledge and intercultural understanding.
- The conditions that made Anglophone cultures thrive materially (point 1 above), but also as objects of our inquiry (2), sustain our academic culture, i.e. our intellectual and functional resilience as a research unit.
- Our academic culture allows us to mediate in the reception of foreign study subjects. By relaying research results, we help host cultures understand themselves better with relation to key traits in other communities, which consolidates their own sustainability – as the “world out there” in our title.
These 4 levels of cultural sustainability will guide our 6 Research Areas (RA) and 7 Research Strands (RS):
-
- Anglo-Portuguese Studies RA, with Orientalism and Anglo-Portuguese (Post)Colonial Relations RS, will persist in our foundational engagement with Anglo-Portuguese relations, but now favouring differential traits such as cultural difference, power imbalances, discontinuity and conflict.
- Anglophone Cultures and History RA; with Culture, Science and the Media | American Intersections RS, will focus on elements of intractability in multicultural contexts, and on challenging perceptions of the objective value of the discourses of historiography and science;
- Shakespeare and the English Canon RA will use its core Shakespeare translation project to explore incommensurability in languages, cultures, and epistemes, while balancing noncanonical against canonical traits in literary systems.
- Mapping Utopianisms RA will explore utopia as a catalyst for social change, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultural, societal, and economic structures. Additionally, it will examine the portrayal of the natural environment in human imagination.
- Relational Forms RA will explore perspectives from literature and the arts re. community and memory in Ireland and Britain. It will favour the impact of recent events like Brexit and liberalisation in Irish society.
- TEALS RA, with Intercultural Studies, Teacher Education and CLIL RSs, will investigate training policy sustainability amidst interlingual and intercultural complexities. The Translationality RS will explore interlingual to intermedial and inter epistemic extensions.
This strategic project was shaped by meetings at various levels, fostering discussions on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and research priorities. This inclusive process reinforced shared research values. A case in point was a recent plenary meeting that used a Starfish retrospective exercise to engage members in discussing future action and reflecting on effective practices. The session facilitated envisioning CETAPS’ future by 2030, and led to key decisions reflected in the Strategic Goals, Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Plan, Data Management Plan, and Ethical Research Guidelines.CETAPS’ Strategic Goals for 2029, shaped by contemporary concerns, are more ambitious than those set for 2022. Besides incorporating input from members, the board has aligned the Centre’s goals with the host universities’ core concerns and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Reduced Inequalities.
Goal 1: Reinforce CETAPS’s cohesive research identity by uniting members around a shared understanding of Anglophone cultures and common methodologies and practices
Strategy: Ensure all CETAPS members integrate ‘Cultural Sustainability’ into their research. Facilitate new knowledge production aligned with this approach to Anglophone Cultures and support international dissemination plans. Organize cross-area meetings and engage young researchers in exploring Anglophone Cultures in their academic pursuits.
Goal 2: Foster a research culture that values quality, advances knowledge, ensures adequate infrastructure, and attracts high-calibre postdoctoral students and visiting scholars.
Strategy: Enhance CETAPS’s performance across RAs and RSs; prioritize high-quality research outputs; implement publication policies for international recognition; improve communication to highlight achievements; strengthen researchers’ presence on journal committees; emphasize international project participation; link incentives to conference participation tied to peer-reviewed publication plans; provide updated lists of recommended journals; promote CETAPS postdoctoral programs, emphasizing research, networking, and outreach.
Goal 3: Strengthen CETAPS’ organisational model, ensure transparent resource allocation, information dissemination, equal opportunities, and monitored progress
Strategy: Clarify resource allocation rationale; secure funding for valued research areas; provide conference organizers with guidelines; publish a quarterly Newsletter to foster collaboration; meet regularly to review performance; involve external advisors in self-assessment.
Goal 4: Gain recognition for CETAPS’s training programs, attract high-quality MA and PhD students, and retain talented young researchers
Strategy: Promote internationally the 5 Doctoral Programmes in which CETAPS participates; secure funding for student grants; offer training workshops; support young researchers in conferences and event organisation; provide resources for the JRAAS Platform; retain Postdocs with funding; enhance mentorship for early-career scholars; continue collaboration with th National Research Mentoring Network.
Click here to learn more
1) Studies in Literary, Cultural and Interartistic Studies (FLUP) This doctoral programme aims at offering an opportunity for advanced training in the field of the Humanities to students interested in exploring the multiple historical, theoretical-critical, ethical and aesthetical connections in the field of Literary, Cultural and Interart Studies.
2) Languages Teaching (offered in b-learning in association with Open University of Portugal and NOVA FCSH) This doctoral programme aims at understanding and systematising theoretical knowledge about language teaching and at applying pedagogical, didactic and methodological knowledge to the definition, management and critical evaluation of curricular plans and pedagogical practices. It works in collaboration with CETAPS and LE@D at Open University of Portugal.
3) Modern Literatures and Cultures (NOVA FCSH) The PhD in Modern Literatures and Cultures, offered in b-Learning, has the general aim of training students for advanced level research in this branch of knowledge and its various areas of specialization; the main objective is to understand and systematise theoretical knowledge from the scientific areas of literary studies, cultural studies, comparative literary studies. It works in collaboration with CETAPS, the Institute for the Study of Literature and Tradition (IELT) and the Institute of Contemporary History (IHC).
4) Translation and Terminology (NOVA FCSH & the University of Aveiro) The main goals of the PhD in Translation and Terminology are to enable student to acquire a systematic understanding of translation and terminology processes and products, as well as of technological tools and other fields of application which intersect with translation and terminology and make new demands on them.
5) Translation Studies (NOVA FCSH & Catholic University) NOVA FCSH and the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP FCH) have joined forces in an inter-university PhD programme designed to train researchers in Translation Studies (TE). The course’s profile results from the educational and research projects of the two faculties and two centres of excellence (CECC – Research Centre for Communication and Culture and CETAPS – Centre for English, Translation, and Anglo-Portuguese Studies), based on the understanding of translation as a cultural phenomenon that can only be studied in context. The Programme aims to provide an understanding of how translation works in different text types (literary, audiovisual, scientific and technical) in different times and languages.
Goal 5: Engage in international networks and societies to foster collaboration, exchange, and broaden the scope of our research
Strategy: Secure programmatic funding for collaboration with globally recognised networks; align CETAPS activities with international research priorities; strengthen researchers’ presence on executive and advisory committees of international networks and societies; leverage expertise, innovative practices, and digital resources from international partners; coordinate and engage in research projects addressing complex global challenges.
Click here to learn more
- ALIMENTOPIA (FCT/COMPETE 2020);
- CANDIICE-Creative Approaches to New Democracy through Innovative Inclusive Citizenship Education (ERASMUS KA204);
- CAT@NOVA, raising awareness about translation tools among students;
- CLIL Network for Languages in Education (COST CA21114);
- EPISTRAN: Experiential Translation Network; History and Translation Network.
- ERASMUS + “STEAM TALES – STEAM education through storytelling;
- G4COVID – GENDER RESEARCH 4 COVID; “CLIL Across School Levels in Portugal”;
- UP – Gender Impact Assessment U.Porto;
- ICEPELL-Intercultural Citizenship Education through Picturebooks in Early English Language Learning (ERASMUS KA203);
- RESET – Redesigning Equality and Scientific Excellence Together (Horizon 2020);
- UTOPIA 500
CETAPS also participates in the Scientific Committee of the Joint PhD in Social Representations, Culture and Communication headed by Sapienza University – Rome
Goal 6: Organise conferences, symposia and seminars and edit journals and anthologies for knowledge transfer
Strategy: Consolidate CETAPS’s distinctive practice of organising large international conferences, often in series, with loyal constituencies; advance regular/ongoing initiatives impacting a variety of audiences, both local and global; continue publication policies for editing journals indexed to Scopus.
Click here to learn more
-
- The Festival of Humanities (2024-29)
- Imagining Extinction in Video Games: An International Symposium (April 2024)
- TEFL9 Conference: Innovation in English language education: Adapting pedagogies to meet modern challenge (2024)
- International Colloquium: Fictionalisations of Science in the Anglophone World VII: Culture, Arts and Literature – Religious Perspectives (in collaboration with the Catholic University of Portugal) (2024-29)
- Touring Travel Writing V: between fact and fiction: international conference series (2024-29)
- Symposium on Portuguese emigration in England in recent decades, in collaboration with the AILD (International Association of Lusodescendants) (London branch) (2025)
- Conference on Goa (2025) Strand: ORIENTALISM AND ANGLO-PORTUGUESE (POST-)COLONIAL RELATIONS
- International Colloquium: Fictionalisations of Science in the Anglophone World VIII: “To see the world in a grain of sand – Science and Poetry (2025).
- Conference on Children’s Literature, celebrating the publication of Winnie the Pooh (1926) by A. A. Milne (collaboration with link to translatability / Sandie Mourão) (2026)
- Conference on crime fiction, on the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926), by Agatha Christie (2026)
- Conference on 10 years of Brexit (2026)
- International Conference on the Gothic, on the publication of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (1817)
- International Conference on the 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover (2027) Strand: ORIENTALISM AND ANGLO-PORTUGUESE (POST-)COLONIAL RELATIONS
- International Conference on the liberal wars in Portugal (1828-1834) (2028)
- International Conference on Anglo-Portuguese relations in the periodical press of the 1920s (2028)
- International Conference on Portugal’s image in the English-speaking countries (2029)
- International Conference on the 30th anniversary of the Macau handover (2029) Strand: ORIENTALISM AND ANGLO-PORTUGUESE (POST-)COLONIAL RELATION
- International Conference (Strands A and B): Victorian and American Myths in Videogames (April 2025)
- International Conference: American and War (80th anniversary of the end of WWII and 130th anniversary of the end of the Civil War) (2025)
- Permanent Seminar (Spring Sessions) 2025 – Theme: American Wars in Multiple Media (Films, Televisual Projects, Visual Culture, Music)
- International Colloquium: Fictionalisations of Science in the Anglophone World IX (2026)
- International Conference: America at 250 (250th anniversary of Independence) (2026)
- International Symposium: America On the Road (70th anniversary of publication): Mobility/ Immobility and Place; Road narratives; Petro-culture (2027)
- International Colloquium: Fictionalisations of Science in the Anglophone World X (2027)
- International Symposium: Native–American Renaissance and after (60 years after the publication of The House Made of Dawn, Scott Momaday) (2028)
- International Colloquium: Fictionalisations of Science in the Anglophone World XI (2028)
- International Conference: Woodstock at 60: The history and aesthetics of American counter-cultures and the imaging of Other Worlds (2029)
- International Colloquium: Fictionalisations of Science in the Anglophone World XII (2029)
OTHER EVENTS:
-
-
- Digital Lab Open Days (yearly)
- International Conference on Digital Humanities (2027)
-
GOAL 7: Increase visibility and awareness of CETAPS’s value while investing in broad-impact outreach activities and promoting citizen science
Strategy: Maintain an updated CETAPS website; publicize key success factors through media channels; encourage members’ media presence on research topics; organize book launches and submit publications; promote CETAPS’s online journals and booklet series; engage with the local community through partnerships; expand digital presence with online events and podcasts; participate in international events; offer online courses
Click here to learn more
- Casa da Música (Porto), a central concert hall with world-class programming
- Teatro de S. João, the Porto venue for the National Theatre
- Museum of Natural History (Porto)
- Pharmacy Museum (Lisbon)
- National Library (Lisbon)
- National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC), Lisbon
- Museum of Migrations (Fafe)*
- Portuguese Refugee Council (Lisbon)*
- Valongo Municipality
(*in the framework of the MOVES doctoral programme).
Goal 8: Increase researchers’ awareness of open scholarship and offer training to address ethical challenges in the Humanities, especially concerning AI usage
Strategy: Affirm CETAPS’ commitment to open society values and support open access agendas; assist researchers in publishing in open access journals; encourage data sharing; promote transparency in peer reviewing; host online events and hybrid conferences for universal access; publish research materials in open repositories; raise awareness of ethical conduct; explore using arts and humanities for human-AI interaction studies; facilitate discussions on AI tools like Chat GPT for Humanities research.
Goal 9 – Implement Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies
Strategy: Implement inclusive recruitment policies; support work-life balance; enforce zero tolerance for discrimination; integrate gender and diversity dimensions in projects; foster cross-disciplinary initiatives; promote diversity and respect in events; develop outreach materials promoting equality; ensure equal representation in boards and committees; establish an Office for Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion; collaborate with the RESET project.
Goal 10: Invest in knowledge and technology transfer, enhance CETAPS’s Digital Lab, databases and software, and train researchers in Digital Humanities projects
Strategy: Secure funding for Digital Humanities training; maintain and update CETAPS technologically; enhance Digital Lab user interfaces; employ ICT experts for support; use social and digital media for lab publicity; present research outcomes at international conferences; track website visits.
Click here to learn more
-
- Alimentopia
- Anglophone Travellers in Portugal
- Bibliografia Britânica em Português
- Cross-Cultural Discourses: Portugal, Britain and the Press
- Dictionary of Portuguese Travel
- E-Dictionary of Literary Terms
- Fiction Bridges Science 21
- Lyman T. Sargent Bibliography
- Shakespeare TM
- O Vegetarino