Strengthening Scientific Connections at Karolinska Institutet
As part of the official visit of Dr. Emídio Sousa, Portuguese Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, to Sweden, a visit to Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm brought together representatives of the Portuguese Government, diplomatic representation and the Portuguese scientific community in Sweden.
The initiative at Karolinska Institutet was organised by SPOT Nordic, through Duarte Ferreira, President of SPOT Nordic’s Scientific Council, creating an opportunity to bring the Secretary of State closer to Portuguese researchers working at one of Europe’s leading medical research institutions and to discuss their experiences, connections with Portugal and the potential for stronger scientific cooperation.
The visit was also attended by Francisco Alegre Duarte, Ambassador of Portugal to Sweden, reinforcing the institutional dimension of the engagement with the Portuguese scientific community in the country.
A closer look at the research environment at Karolinska Institutet
The programme included a visit to the facilities and laboratories of Karolinska Institutet, providing the delegation with an opportunity to gain closer insight into the research environment and scientific work developed at the institution.
The visit was accompanied by Duarte Ferreira, President of SPOT Nordic’s Scientific Council, and Professor Gonçalo Castelo-Branco, member of the Nobel Committee responsible for awarding the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
This moment provided an opportunity for the Secretary of State, Dr. Emídio Sousa, to engage directly with the scientific environment at Karolinska Institutet and exchange perspectives on research, international scientific cooperation and the importance of Portuguese researchers working within leading international institutions.
Dialogue with Portuguese researchers in Sweden
A central part of the programme was a meeting between Dr. Emídio Sousa and Portuguese researchers working at Karolinska Institutet, with the participation of Ambassador Francisco Alegre Duarte and SPOT Nordic.
The meeting created a space for direct dialogue about the experiences of Portuguese researchers in Sweden and, particularly, about the connections they maintain with Portugal and how these relationships can be further strengthened.
The discussion also addressed the role that networks such as SPOT Nordic can play in connecting Portuguese researchers and professionals across the Nordic countries, strengthening their links with Portugal and facilitating contacts between scientific communities and institutions.
The Portuguese scientific diaspora and science diplomacy
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the potential of science diplomacy as a mechanism for strengthening connections between Portugal and the Nordic countries.
Portuguese researchers working at institutions such as Karolinska Institutet are simultaneously connected to highly international scientific environments and to Portugal. These connections represent an important opportunity to promote knowledge exchange, scientific collaboration, institutional partnerships and stronger international research networks.
The discussion therefore explored how Portugal can remain connected to its scientific community abroad and how researchers based in the Nordic countries can continue to contribute to and engage with the Portuguese research and innovation ecosystem.
Building stronger connections between Portugal and the Nordic countries
The visit highlighted the importance of maintaining an active dialogue between Portuguese policymakers, diplomatic representation and the scientific community abroad.
The participation of Secretary of State Dr. Emídio Sousa provided an important opportunity for Portuguese researchers at Karolinska Institutet to share their perspectives directly and discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with maintaining meaningful connections with Portugal while developing international scientific careers.
For SPOT Nordic, organising this initiative through its Scientific Council reflects its broader commitment to creating connections between the Portuguese scientific diaspora, Portugal and the Nordic research and innovation ecosystems, complementing the work of Portuguese institutions and diplomatic representations in the region.
SPOT Nordic would like to thank Dr. Emídio Sousa, Ambassador Francisco Alegre Duarte, Duarte Ferreira, Professor Gonçalo Castelo-Branco and all the Portuguese researchers who participated for their engagement and contribution to this exchange.
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