About Us

NOVA Aequalitas Knowledge Centre

"Challenging inequalities, promoting equality, driving transformation"

Who We Are

Aequalitas is a Knowledge Centre dedicated to the critical study of equality and inequality across diverse social, political, and legal landscapes. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we examine the mechanisms that sustain social hierarchies and different forms of discrimination, shaping human experiences. Our work is grounded in rigorous theoretical and empirical analysis, drawing insights from sociology, anthropology, political science, history, philosophy, neuroscience, and law. By integrating these perspectives, Aequalitas aims to understand both the reproduction of inequalities and the strategies to challenge them, fostering the conditions for greater social equity.

At Aequalitas, we are committed to producing transformative and socially engaged knowledge. Through critical reflection, we address pressing issues related to gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexual diversity, disability, accessibility, and other social markers of difference. We firmly believe that only by understanding these structures can we actively contribute to building more just and inclusive societies.

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The Role of Law in Equity and Social Justice

Law is a fundamental pillar of our research and reflections at Aequalitas. We analyze legal frameworks, judicial systems, and institutional practices that shape social hierarchies, exploring the law both as a means of perpetuating inequalities and as a powerful tool for social transformation. Our research contributes to developing legal interpretations and policy recommendations that advance inclusion, equity, and human rights.

Our Core Activities

1) Research

Aequalitas explores discrimination based on gender, disability, age, race, and other social markers in contexts such as education, healthcare, employment, and political participation. We focus on four key research lines within the field of anti-discrimination law, integrating diverse theoretical traditions:

Cognitive and neurobiological perspectives: Investigating cognitive bases, social perception, and the neurological bases of discrimination, analyzing how psychological and neurobiological factors contribute to prejudice and exclusion.
Sociological and anthropological analyses: Examining discrimination through the lenses of sociology, anthropology, and social theory, with an emphasis on structural inequalities and social movements.
Political and institutional dimensions: Exploring political institutions, governance mechanisms, and policy-making processes that influence anti-discrimination laws and social justice initiatives.
Legal frameworks and jurisprudence: Studying anti-discrimination legislation at various levels, including international treaties, European Union directives, Council of Europe standards, and their implementation in Portuguese national law.

2) Education and Research Training: Aequalitas Permanent Seminar

Aequalitas serves as a hub for advanced education and research training, particularly at the Master’s and PhD levels. Our Permanent Seminar, active since 2020, has been instrumental in nurturing emerging scholars. To date, it has supported the completion of approximately 30 Master’s dissertations in Law, 2 Master’s theses in Philosophy, and 1 Doctoral dissertation in Philosophy. We remain dedicated to fostering an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment for academic growth in equality studies.

In addition to the seminar, we also offer courses, workshops, lectures, and training programs aimed at expanding knowledge and professional development in equality and anti-discrimination law.

3) Outreach

Beyond academia, Aequalitas is deeply engaged in outreach activities, ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination laws in public and private entities. Through collaborations with policymakers, institutions, and organizations, we bridge the gap between research and real-world practice, advocating for policies and frameworks that reinforce equity and human rights.

Dissemination and Impact

Aequalitas is committed to making knowledge accessible and impactful. Through academic publications and international conferences, we amplify the discourse on inequalities and equity. Our goal is to influence public policies and societal attitudes by providing theoretical and practical insights that drive meaningful change.

Funding

Aequalitas builds upon the foundations laid by the Cosmopolitanism project, funded by the FCT, which brought together a network of esteemed researchers. Over the past three decades, this network has conducted significant research on various aspects of social justice, shaping the intellectual groundwork for Aequalitas' mission today. Our centre continues this legacy, expanding its scope and impact through new collaborations, research projects, and initiatives that challenge inequalities and promote social transformation.

Join Us

Welcome to Aequalitas – a space for critical thought, engaged research, and an unwavering commitment to equity. Whether you are a researcher, student, policymaker, activist, or simply someone passionate about social justice, we invite you to connect with us and be part of the movement toward a fairer world.

This project endorses and promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals by raising awareness and reflexivity and by advancing a vision of a just world. Particularly the following goals are envisaged:

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere;

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries;

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels;

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Our partners

In Portugal: Universidade de Lisboa, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Universidade do Porto;

In Brazil: Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Universidade Federal do Estado de São Paulo;

In Germany: FU Berlin, TU Berlin, Universität Bremen, Universität Stuttgart, Universität Kiel, Universität Darmstadt.;

In France: Université d'Evry-Val-d'Essone, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales de Paris, Collège International de Philosophie de Paris.