The Digital Literacy and Social Inclusion Hub (CIAC-PLDIS-IPSantarém) is an innovative interdisciplinary hub that integrates four key areas: Media Communication, Computer Science, Social Inclusion and Literacy, and Vocational Training.
This integrated approach positions the Hub at the intersection of technology, communication, education, and social transformation, addressing real societal challenges through research, innovation, and applied practice.
Guiding Principles
The Hub is guided by the following principles:
Alignment with national and regional research and innovation strategies
Promotion of digital transition and socially responsible innovation
Response to inclusion, diversity, and employability challenges
Strengthening of links between higher education institutions, industry, vocational ecosystems, and society
The Hub collaborates with international research centers and stakeholders, focusing on the generation of scientific and technological knowledge that supports digital literacy, inclusive media communication, applied computing solutions, and vocational pathways for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups, particularly in relation to labor market integration.
Doctoral Vision
The vision of the PhD programme associated with the Hub is to shape a future in which digital media, computational technologies, education, and vocational training empower individuals and communities to participate fully in a connected, ethical, and inclusive digital society.
Its main objectives include:
Advancing research and innovation in accessible, human-centered digital and AI-driven tools
Integrating media communication and computer science with literacy, inclusion, and vocational learning
Building an international research and training community committed to social impact
Employing innovative, practice-based and interdisciplinary teaching methodologies
Promoting open science, open education, and the societal transfer of knowledge
Ambition
The Hub’s ambition is to become a leading international reference center for research, advanced training, and innovation at the convergence of digital communication, computer science, literacy, inclusion, and vocational education.
It aims to:
Set new standards for digital and AI-enabled solutions supporting social and economic inclusion
Redefine how media communication and computational technologies serve education, employability, and citizenship
Foster a distinctive culture of competence, interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and resilience
Transform how organizations, industries, VET systems, and communities adopt inclusive innovation
Integrated Impact Approach
Through this comprehensive framework, the Hub promotes a more inclusive and equitable digital society by integrating innovation practices through:
Alignment with regional strategies: The programme aligns with CCDR Alentejo’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (EREI), particularly in social innovation, citizenship, digital transition, and skills development
Active student engagement: Students participate directly in research, innovation, and vocationally-oriented social projects, strengthening learning-by-doing approaches
Focus on societal challenges: Research addresses digital literacy gaps, inclusive communication, applied computing solutions, and pathways for the labor market integration of disadvantaged groups
International collaboration: Knowledge exchange with international research centers enables the adoption of innovative and scalable practices
Development of holistic models: The Hub develops replicable, holistic support models combining media, technology, literacy, and vocational training for vulnerable populations
These actions ensure that the Hub not only follows technological evolution but actively shapes inclusive digital futures, embedding social innovation as a core element of research and training.
International Dimension
The Hub works closely with four international research and development centers, reinforcing its global reach and interdisciplinary profile.
Its international presence is further strengthened through academic networks, diversified partnerships across academia, industry, research centers and NGOs, and the systematic hosting of postgraduate and international students.
Students are actively involved in international project management, dissemination, and knowledge transfer, contributing to the visibility and impact of European and global projects developed within the Hub.
