CICPSI
WELCOME TO THE RESEARCH CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Research at FPUL is done primarily in the Research Center for Psychological Science and is organized in large areas of competence associated with challenges with a strong impact on society. FPUL researchers develop fundamental and applied research in various fields of psychology.
“In fundamental research the focus of study is cognition. We highlight the experimental studies, which combine behavioral measures with electrophysiological data and neuronal activation, for the understanding of cognitive functions such as language, memory, judgment, decision making and social cognition.
Applied research seeks to create and validate evaluation and intervention tools in clinical, educational and organizational contexts, to develop promotional and prevention programs in these areas and to define guidelines for social practices and policies.
Several ongoing research projects are funded by national and international agencies, including the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the BIAL Foundation, and the European Reseach Area (ERA) – European Commission. Its results are published in the form of publications and presentations at scientific events. In order for the public and the community to know these results, FP organizes and regularly participates in dissemination activities such as Futurália, Verão na ULisboa and FP Open Day. Short videos on these investigations are also available.
The research carried out has a direct impact in several sectors, promoting dialogue between academia and other public and private entities. FPUL has partnerships with institutions such as DECO, Military Academy, Lisbon City Hall and Hospital de Santa Maria. It holds active collaborations with several universities (University College London, Free University of Brussels, University of Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute-Nijmegen, Washington University in St. Louis, Indiana University and others) and participates in networks such as ESCON- European Social Cognition Network, ACT, Violence Prevention Office, Association for Psychological Science and UNESCO Chair Lifelong Guidance & Counseling.
All the research work is developed in close collaboration with teaching and advanced training. FPUL is a founding member of the Mind-Brain College funded by ULisboa and its doctoral programs in Cognitive Science and Integrative Neuroscience (NeurULisboa, funded by FCT). He is also a member of the doctoral programs in Social Psychology (LiSP) and Migrations with FCT funding.”
Luísa Barros
CICPSI Coordinator
RESEARCH CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
received the grade EXCELLENT by FCT
– Base funding: UIDB/04527/2020;
– Programmatic funding: UIDP/04527/2020;
State-of-the-art research facilities underpin cutting edge research and innovation, by bringing together human and material resources to tackle ever increasingly complex problems across all scientific fields.
Modern day science requires multidisciplinary teams, sophisticated network-based equipment and the capacity to generate, store and analyse enormous amounts of data. Research infrastructures such as radiation sources, biological data banks, earth and space observatories, imaging systems or clean rooms for the study and development of new materials or nano-electronics, provide the basis on which new knowledge and innovations may develop.
As part of its mission, FCT supports research infrastructures of strategic interest that sustain scientific and technological advancements and strengthen the scientific R&D&I community in Portugal, thus stimulating their active participation in European and international projects. Regular updates and periodic reviews of the infraestructures network ensure that Portugal and its regions stay internationally competitive.
Mission & Vision
“Founded in 2013, CICPSI is devoted to fundamental and translational research in Psychological Science with a special focus on psychological and neural mechanisms of adaptation to context in lifelong learning and development.
Two groups conduct research in a concerted way. The Adaptation PROcesses in Context group (ProAdapt) and the COgnition in COntext group (CO2) .
The CO2 group fundamental research aims to probe the cognitive and neural bases of memory and learning, literacy acquisition, voice and speech perception, judgment and social cognition.
The ProAdapt group applied research provides pioneering contributions in temporary employment and leadership; self-regulation in socio-educative contexts; cyberbullying; individual and familial psychological assessment and interventions. Our findings promote healthy contexts that enhance individual, team, and family adaptation and contribute to theoretically driven solutions to major economic and societal challenges (e.g. literacy acquisition; decent work; quality of life in patients and their families).
CICPSI is an internationally recognized research centre with state-of-the-art research facilities and an outstanding workforce. This strategy is grounded on 3 pillars:
Excellence in Research
First, we are committed to continue to provide groundbreaking contributions that are internationally recognized, with a track-record in high-impact journals, networking with leading international groups, and consultancy in scientific panels of renowned agencies. The high visibility of our research is achieved by organization/participation in scientific events, a growing provision of open access to publications and datasets, and engagement in scientific dissemination. Since 2013, CICPSI received over 3.2 million € in national and international funding in competitive calls.
Highquality Advanced Training
Second, we are committed to top higher-level scientific education, advanced training and mentoring at MSc and PhD levels through prestigious interfaculty programmes. We are geared to multidisciplinarity and thus we are founding members of the MindBrain College of ULisboa, of PhD Programmes in Integrated Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, that are unique in Portugal. We have fostered national networking through two interuniversity programmes and a formal network including Psychology researchers of all major Portuguese universities. CICPSI currently has 38 PhD students and, between 2013 and 2017, 60 other PhD students concluded their program. CICPSI stimulating environment has attracted researchers hired under InvestigadorFCT programme and postdoctoral fellows.
Strong Impact in Society and Active Dissemination of Knowledge
Third, we aim to promote research excellence and innovation as driving forces of social and economic development, core priorities of European and Portuguese Strategies for smart growth, including the European 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. CICPSI actively contributes to a knowledgebased society by organizing and participating in national and local outreach activities. Our research informs public policies (e.g. educational strategies for literacy instruction; work practices to promote employees’ wellbeing), assists clinical practice (e.g. development of diagnostic and evidence-based intervention tools), and enhances the dialog between academia, stakeholders and society.”