Dr. Agata Błoch and Professor Tomasz Wiślicz recently conducted a research visit to CHAM – Centro de Humanidades, an inter-university research center affiliated to NOVA University of Lisbon and the University of the Azores. Supported by the NAWA STER NextGenPhDs Program, this visit marked a crucial moment in strengthening the academic collaboration between the Anthropos Doctoral School of the Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences and one of the leading centers for humanities research in Portugal.
CHAM is known for its multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, bringing together scholars from fields such as archeology, literature, philosophy, art history and history. With eight research groups based on three thematic pillars: heritage, theory and methodology, and the digital paradigm — the center addresses contemporary challenges with innovative and integrative approaches. This intellectual diversity, coupled with a commitment to international engagement, closely aligns with the priorities of the Anthropos Doctoral School and creates fertile ground for productive dialog during the visit.
Dr. Błoch and Professor Wiślicz engaged in rich discussions with leading CHAM scholars, including Professor Pedro Cardim and Professor João Paulo Oliveira e Costa, whose expertise and global academic networks greatly enriched the visit.
The UNESCO Chair The Cultural Heritage of the Oceans, headed by Professor João Paulo Oliveira e Costa at NOVA University of Lisbon, is an initiative rooted in the humanities that explores the cultural and historical significance of the ocean, particularly in the transatlantic context, which includes Europe, Africa and the Americas. The Chair is an example of CHAM’s global perspective and provides a model for interdisciplinary research with strong public engagement and pedagogical dimensions.
Another highlight was the discussion with Professor Miguel Bandeira Jerónimo from the University of Coimbra. His leading role in initiatives such as the doctoral program Patrimónios de Influência Portuguesa has revealed common research interests, particularly in the areas of cultural heritage, colonial heritage and historical memory.
The visit also facilitated discussions on broader issues of internationalization, such as possible collaboration on staff exchanges, student mobility and participation in programs such as Erasmus+. The shared focus on cultural heritage research, theoretical innovation and digital humanities opened up numerous opportunities for joint projects.
Dr. Błoch and Professor Wiślicz’s involvement with CHAM has not only strengthened the links between the Anthropos Doctoral School and the Portuguese research community, but has also laid the foundations for long-term collaboration. By fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas, this visit illustrates the transformative potential of academic partnerships that transcend institutional and national boundaries and reaffirms the crucial role of international collaboration in advancing the humanities.
