Keyword(s): Formal and informal economies Political and social economy Population, Well-being

General description of the Research Group

The RG investigates the interactions between population, economy, and society, and the relevance of policies and institutions in the study of human behaviour across different historical periods and geographical areas. Through transdisciplinary research that examines the structure and well-being of populations, everyday life, individual and family trajectories, mobilities, commercial and business practices, socioeconomic agents, policies, diplomacy, international relations, and legislative and legal practices, the RG aims to contribute to the understanding of the elements that have shaped the trajectory of societies. At the heart of this research lies the fundamental question: how do people, markets, and policies interact to influence social outcomes? By investigating this complex interaction, the RG fosters an understanding of past and present societies and provides contributions to educators, social and economic agents, and policymakers.

The RG operates within the framework of the strategic plan, fostering collaboration with internal and external researchers. Key activities include: archival and library research – employing primary and secondary sources from Portuguese and international institutions to analyse population/economy/society interactions across historical and geographical contexts; data infrastructure – supporting the development of databases and advanced analytical tools to facilitate efficient data management and interpretation; knowledge dissemination – encouraging publication in peer-reviewed indexed journals, both in print and open access formats, to maximize the reach and impact of research findings; funding-providing guidance and support in crafting competitive funding applications to secure resources for ambitious research projects; knowledge exchange – hosting seminars and conferences for researchers and PhD students, and participating in national and international networks, to stimulate intellectual discourse and promote collaborative research.