Dr. Catarina Laranjeiro is currently an Integrated Researcher at the Institute of Contemporary History (IHC), where she is developing a research project entitled “African Modes of Self-Filming: Popular Films in Transnational Flow“, approved in the scope of the individual CEEC competition, promoted by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. Her project was approved by decision of an international panel, in very competitive conditions. Since she joined the IHC, Dr. Catarina Laranjeiro has given an intellectual contribution of great value to the scientific activity of the Institute. Her human contribution to the Institute has been equally exemplary. We are very pleased to have Dr. Catarina Laranjeiro in our research team.

Among her most recent publications, Catarina Laranjeiro co-authored a chapter in a book entitled Sexual Misconduct in Academia – Informing an Ethics of Care in the University, which has aroused academic debate and media interest. As regards the situations of harassment that have allegedly occurred in the context of the Centre for Social Studies (CES), and which are alleged in this text and in other complaints that have come to light, the Board of Directors of the IHC draws attention to the press releases issued by CES’ Board of Directors and the President of the Scientific Council, as well as to the measures announced therein, including the creation of an Independent Inquiry Committee, which should identify any institutional failings and investigate the occurrence of any unethical conduct, and the suspension of two researchers.

Moral and sexual harassment is a reality that exists in several Portuguese universities and should be fought without hesitation. It was also in this sense that, in 2017, the IHC instituted, in its Statutes, a Researcher’s Ombudsman, a personality external to the Institute and to whom any researcher can appeal to resolve conflicts or present complaints, without prejudice to the right to appeal to other university bodies and to the national instances of justice. Finally, while calling for the presumption of innocence of those who are denounced to be respected, we also call for the credibility of those who denounce to be respected. The defence of the labour rights of male and female researchers, as well as the promotion of gender equality and of a safe work environment, are elements that we cultivate at the IHC.

The IHC Board of Directors