CICS History

The Research Centre for the Social Sciences (CICS), formally established in February 2007, results from the expansion and transformation of the Núcleo de Estudos em Sociologia (NES), created following of the dismemberment of the Centre of Historical and Social Sciences (CCHS), a research centre that integrated, from 1988 to 2002, the entirety of the researchers of the Institute of Social Sciences (ICS) of the University of Minho. The intellectual property and the scientific production accumulated over the period of existence of CCHS, with emphasis on the magazine Sociedade e Cultura – série de Sociologia, form the fundamental basis for the development and evolution of scientific research in ICS. Given the growth, the amplitude and the disciplinary coverage achieved by CCHS, and following a decision taken by the majority of the members of the Scientific Council, the management of independent research projects was made possible, providing the conditions for the creation of several research units, including NES, which would result in the current CICS. NES’ first scientific coordinator was Professor Albertino Gonçalves (2002-2003). In 2004, Professor Carlos Silva was elected as Director of NES, and he renewed his mandate in the elections held in 2007, the date on which the Centre changed its name to Research Centre for the Social Sciences (CICS). The numerous ongoing and concluded projects show the dynamism of the CICS research teams. See CICS magazine Sociedade e Cultura - série de Sociologia.  See CICS concluded projects.