Exclusive Interviews with the SPOT Nordic Team: Daniela Murteira

Originally from Lisbon and currently living in Odense, Daniela Murteira is SPOT Nordic’s intern in the field of Scientific Diplomacy.

With a background in Political Science and a strong motivation to work in diplomacy and international organizations, Daniela has been actively contributing to the association's mission by combining political analysis, scientific research, and project development.

▶️ Who are you? I was born and raised in Lisbon, where I studied Political Science at ISCSP, University of Lisbon. I love reading about ethnology, history, politics, and science — but I never miss the chance for an afternoon of wine 🍷 and board games 🎲. My future plans include working in the diplomatic field (at an embassy) or as a consultant/analyst in international organizations.

▶️ What do you do? I’m currently an intern at SPOT Nordic, working on the scientific diplomacy project. My tasks include writing reports, such as the Mapping of Scientific Collaborations between Portugal and the Nordic Countries, and a future comparative report on the Portuguese and Danish scientific environments; developing funding proposals; identifying potential institutional partners; and promoting the importance of scientific diplomacy for sustainable development and international cooperation through events and digital platforms.

▶️ What does a typical day look like? My days usually start with a train ride 🚆 to Copenhagen, where SPOT Nordic’s co-working space is located. I currently live in Odense, so I use the one-hour commute to read, listen to podcasts 🎧, and catch up on the news. At the office, I begin with a daily briefing with my colleague Rita, followed by tasks such as data collection, report writing, or project planning. At the end of the day, I enjoy going to the gym or for a run 🏃‍♀️.

▶️ What do you value most about living in your city and country? What I value most in Odense is the calm atmosphere, the proximity to everything, and how easy it is to build social relationships in a small urban environment. Denmark offers a high quality of life, a balanced work culture, interpersonal respect, and strong social values such as trust and tolerance.

▶️ What do you now appreciate about Portugal that you didn’t before moving abroad? Definitely the food 🍽️ and the important social role meals play in our culture. I also now have a deeper appreciation for the sea and Portuguese beaches 🌊, which have always been part of my routine — even in winter.

▶️ In your opinion, what are the priority areas for collaboration between Portugal and the Nordic countries? Sustainability and technological innovation are areas where the Nordic countries have strong traditions, and where Portugal can benefit from its strategic location, marine research, and investment in renewable energy. In the scientific field, Portugal has much to learn from the Nordic models in terms of valuing researchers, funding structures, and bridging academia with the private sector. The project I’m currently developing aims to map these differences and identify strategic synergies.

▶️ Why did you choose to be part of SPOT Nordic? The idea of contributing to the Portuguese diaspora abroad attracted me from the beginning. I wanted to be part of a young organization with room for innovation, where scientific diplomacy aligns with my academic background and personal interests. I see SPOT as a platform to promote Portugal in the European context — from the North.

▶️ How can you contribute to the SPOT Nordic team? Through research and data analysis, project design and execution, event planning, and the creation of communication materials. In the future, I also hope to support the development of institutional partnerships that strengthen the association’s impact.

▶️ Which SPOT Nordic projects interest you the most? Projects like From Science to Industry, the annual events, the mapping of research collaborations, and other initiatives yet to be explored and developed.

▶️ A final message you'd like to share with the world: I believe we’re all doing our best, with different outcomes shaped by our genetic and social circumstances. Only through the continuous search for empirical knowledge and cooperation with those who’ve had fewer opportunities can we build a fairer and truly humane society 💫.

🔗Linkedin de Daniela Murteira

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