Establishing a Chair for the Study of Imagination and Society at the Instituto de Ciências Sociais, ULisboa

The ERA Chair on Imagination and Society at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon (ICS-ULisboa) aims to establish the first permanent chair in Europe dedicated to interdisciplinary research on the social dimensions of imagination.

As new technologies defy established understandings of the world, the Chair will steer innovative research and explore the critical role of imagination in addressing societal issues. Under the direction of Prof.

Ramon Sarr (University of Oxford) IMAGINE will drive organisational development and capacity building, securing ICS-ULisboa as a centre of excellence attracting and retaining international talents.

This proposal results from the collaboration with the designated Chair holder in an endeavour to (re-)imagine the Institutes role for the years to come.

The project builds on a solid assessment of ICS contribution to defining social science research in Portugal, and brings forward an ambitious coordination and support programme, framed into 4 strategic objectives.The ERA Chair will 1) Recruit and mentor an outstanding team, including the future Group leader, three early career researchers, two doctoral students and one technical staff; 2) Enhance strategic institutional reforms in line with the ERA priorities; 3) Develop an interdisciplinary research agenda on Imagination and Society feeding on ICSs mission; 4) Increase competitiveness in international R&I funding.The plan of activities sets out the strategies and intermediate steps to maximise impact and provide sustainability in the long term.Research carried out under the interdisciplinary ERA Chair will embed gender as a core dimension, adopt best Open Science practices, and implement principles of FAIR data management and sharing.

IMAGINE will engage with different publics and players to foster imagination literacy, promote cultural events and debates, and integrate critical imagination and creativity in education and training.