Present current research and evidence through focused scientific sessions.
3rd International Summit · CIAC-PLDIS
Digital Literacy and Social Inclusion
CONNECTING BRIDGES · Researching digital futures. Advancing social inclusion. Building international connections.
Three days of research dialogue, international networking and collaborative innovation in digital literacy and social inclusion.
About the Summit
Research, people and international networks.
The Digital Literacy Research Summit brings together researchers, institutional leaders, international members, networks and project teams to examine how digital literacy can strengthen participation, learning, employability and social inclusion. The programme combines research dissemination, strategic dialogue and collaborative formats to turn evidence into partnerships and future action.
Strengthen international collaboration and network dialogue.
Give visibility to CIAC-PLDIS groups, members and research results.
Turn discussion into roadmaps, partnerships and next steps.
Programme
Three days to share, connect, showcase and co-create.
The programme is updated directly on the website as times, sessions and participants are confirmed.
19 JAN
Digital Literacy & Social Inclusion
Tuesday · Online
09:30
Opening the Digital Horizon
Ana LoureiroDirectorESE, UPSantarém
Sérgio CardosoDirectorESGTS, UPSantarém
Filipe MadeiraVice Coordinator of CIAC-PLDISUPSantarém
09:30– 17:00
Digital Bridges
Computer Sciences · Media & Communication · Social Inclusion · Literacy & Vocational Training. Online paper presentations exploring research in digital literacy, social inclusion and related interdisciplinary fields. Papers may be presented in English, Portuguese or Spanish. Four Scientific Excellence Distinctions.
20 JAN
Research & Innovation Day
Wednesday
10:00
Leadership for Digital Inclusion
António José SeguroPresident of the Portuguese RepublicPortugal
João MoutãoRectorSantarém Polytechnic University
João LeiteMayorMunicipality of Santarém
Maria Potes BarbasCoordinatorCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém
10:30– 11:30
Shared Futures
Session theme: Building AI as leverage for what makes us human.
João BarrosCMU Portugal National DirectorInnovation and Research Agency AI2
Diogo CasaNovaVice-RectorUAB
Rose LuckinProfessor, AI and Education Thought LeaderEDUCATE Ventures
Irena Palamani XhurxhiDirector of WalmartCity University of New York
Andreia Teles VieiraModeratorCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém integrated member
11:30– 12:30
New Voices
Presentation of the new CIAC-PLDIS international integrated members.nnSignature of Protocols:n• CIAC-PLDIS with ISTEC and University Aleksander Moisiu of Durrës (UAMD), Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Albania.n• CIAC-PLDIS with ISTEC and Grupo Comunicar.n• CIAC-PLDIS with WISE.n• CIAC-PLDIS with Campus Ágora MetaRed.n• CIAC-PLDIS with NewFutures:AI (grant agreement).
Ana Pérez EscodaResearcherFrancisco Vitoria University, Spain
Saso KoceskiVice-RectorGoce Delchev University, North Macedonia
Jose Manuel Diego MantecónFull ProfessorUniversity of Cantabria, Spain
Paulo BrancoModeratorCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém integrated member
Ariola HariziLecturer & Scientific ResearcherUAMD · Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Albania
12:30– 14:00
Networking Scientific Roadmap Lunch
Parallel discussions dedicated to project developments, research results, transferable practices and emerging opportunities.nn• SCIFINE — Strengthens science education through family, community and STEM engagement.n• Talent Inflow 4 Digital Minds — Supports talent development, mobility and skills for the future.n• Wellbeing-STEAM — Promotes wellbeing through inclusive and innovative STEAM education.n• InclusioTech — Uses digital technologies to foster inclusion, accessibility and participation.
Susana ColaçoModeratorLecturer & Scientific Researcher
14:00– 16:00
AI Practices in Research
Luís JoãoHead of Public Sector and HealthcareGoogle Cloud
Marcelo CruzEducation Lead for PortugalGoogle
Artur MarquesModeratorCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém integrated member
16:00– 17:30
Reconnecting for Publication Impact
Publishing and Research Connectivityn• New CIAC-PLDIS Scientific Journal: “Connecting Bridges”nnMaster’s Degree · Building an e-Learning AI EnvironmentnnPhD Degree · AI Teaching Innovation
Samira HosseiniSpeaker: How to publish and build research connectivityPresident & Publication Chair, SAMYRAD 2026 Conference
Cássio SantosSpeakerCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém FCT Tenure
Maryam AbbasiSpeakerCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém FCT Tenure
Filipe MadeiraSpeakerCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém
Ana TorresSpeakerCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém collaborator member
Dan SerigDirector of AI Teaching InnovationNortheastern University
Isabel PiscalhoModeratorCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém integrated member
17:30– 18:30
Networking for Impact
Strategic networking session connecting CIAC-PLDIS with international networks and partners.
Joaquim GodinhoExcutive SecretaryMetaRed Portugal
Tomás JimenezCoordenador GlobalMetaRed
Helder PereiraVice-RectorACINNET
João SamartinhoExcutive SecretaryRIAL
Sandra ValadasCEAD CoorinatorUniversity of Algarve
Cristina NovoPro-Rector for Coordination of European AllianceACE2-EU
Beatrix BusseFOREU4ALL Chair
Cassio SantosModeratorCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém FCT Tenure
18:30– 22:00
The Secret Vineyard Summit Dinner
An evening for informal dialogue, relationship-building and international networking in a winery setting.
21 JAN
Research & Innovation Day
Thursday
09:00– 10:00
Connecting Bridges: From Academia to the Workplace
AI governance programmes that work in practice; AI and the EU.
Soribel FelizLinkedin Top Voice in AI Governance
Maryam AbassiModeratorCIAC PLDIS UPSantarém FCT Tenure
10:00– 11:00
AI Practices for the Workplace
Ivo BeneditoHead of EngineeringiMotorbike
SasoModeratorCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
11:00– 12:30
Parallel Sessions within the Digital Literacy and Social Inclusion Hub
Institutional Perspectives on Research, Innovation and Digital Inclusion
Fernando Alexandre
Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Government of Portugal
Neusa Branco
Moderator CIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
Session I
Sharing Good Practices: From Computer Sciences to Vocational Training
Computer Sciences
Pedro Santa-Clara — Full Professor of Finance (Expert) — Nova School of Business and Economics
Filipe Madeira — Working Group Coordinator — CIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Vice-Coordinator
Artur Marques · Paulo Branco · Maryam Abbasi · António Santos · João Samartinho · Adriano Cruz · Ana Catarina Cruz · António Godinho · Corina-Maria Ciobanu · Fernando Bento · Filipe Cardoso · Ioannis Tavantzis · Joao Lalanda · Jorge González · Jorge Leiria Pires · Natasa Koceska · Paris Cleanthous · Sašo Koceski · Sérgio Pinto · Vasilis Giannoglou · David Cruz
Literacy & Vocational Training
António Dias de Figueiredo — Emeritus Professor at University of Coimbra
Neusa Branco — Working Group Coordinator — CIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
Isabel Piscalho · Susana Colaço · Francieli Maria de Lima · Jaqueline Fátima Roman · Marta Uva · Mírian Bohrer · Natalia Truszkowska · José Diego Mantecón
Session II
Sharing Good Practices: From Media Communication to Social Inclusion
Media Communication
Jose Ignacio Aguaded — Catedrático de Educación y Comunicación — Universidad de Huelva
Andreia Teles Vieira — Working Group Coordinator — CIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
Andreia Teles Vieira · Maria Potes Barbas · Carlos Cardeira · Diogo Algarvio · Maria Cunha · Paulo Branco · Adriana Silva · Ana Torres · Cristina Novo · Stefan Dreisiebner · Maria Koutsombogera · Patrícia Pereira · Rui Robalo · Ana Pérez-Escoda · Cássio Santos · Belén Branco
Social Inclusion
Maria Dorey — Fundación Prodis I+D+i Coordinator
Ana da Silva — Working Group Coordinator — CIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém
Maria Potes Barbas · Pedro Oliveira · Cristina Novo · Gabriela Neagu · Ida Cortini · Juan Perez-Miranda Castillo · Evan Kapros · Corina Dragan · Inês Matias · Rosa Oliveira · Maria Dorey · Pilar Santos · Tomás Pereira · Daniela Mauricio · Pedro Lopes · Maria do Castelo Dias · Inês Alves · Rodrigo Moreira de Andrade · Luisa Mota · Diogo Rosário · Sofia Santos · Preciosa Ferreira · Catarina Guimarães · Maria d'Orey
12:30– 14:00
Connect & Network
Interactive networking lunch intended to encourage introductions, research conversations and new connections.nnProjects, Results & Next Stepsn• SCIFINE — Strengthens science education through family, community and STEM engagement.n• Talent Inflow 4 Digital Minds — Supports talent development, mobility and skills for the future.n• Wellbeing-STEAM — Promotes wellbeing through inclusive and innovative STEAM education.n• InclusioTech — Uses digital technologies to foster inclusion, accessibility and participation.
14:00– 15:30
Research Scientific Roadmap
Collaborative scientific roadmap with UPSantarém research centres.
Fernando AlexandreMinister of Education, Science and InnovationGovernment of Portugal
Maria Potes BarbasCoordinatorCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém
Carla VarandaCoordinatorCERNAS
Teresa BentoCoordinatorCIDESD
Marisa CorreiaCoordinatorCIEQV
Hélia DiasCoordinatorRISE Health
Rita Santos RochaCoordinatorSPRINT
Ana Pérez EscodaModeratorCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
14:00– 15:30
InclusioTech Project Workshop · Digital Literacy Class
Andreia Teles VieiraWorkshop participant / presenterCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
Gisela CanelhasWorkshop participant / presenterCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Collaborator Member
15:30– 16:30
Building Bridges: AI, Ethics & Humanity
Irena Palamani XhurxhiDirectorWalmart; City University of New York
José Diego MateconModeratorCIAC-PLDIS · UPSantarém Integrated Member
16:30– 17:00
Beyond the Summit
Closing Reflections. Final reflections, key takeaways and an invitation to continue building the next phase of collaboration beyond the Summit.
Selma Talha JebrilWISE, Director of Research and Policy & Global Education IndexQatar Foundation
Saso KoceskiVice-RectorGoce Delchev University, North Macedonia
Programme subject to updates. Sessions marked “To confirm” are awaiting final validation.