SUPPORT FOR

In light of the accusations of misconduct and abuse at a prestigious international institution such as the Centre for Social Studies (CES) in Coimbra, which circulated on social networks and spilled over into the press following the publication of the chapter entitled “The walls spoke when no one else would”, by Lieselotte Viaene, Catarina Laranjeiro and Miye Nadya (Routledge, 2023), we, the undersigned researchers and members of the academy, wish to state the following:

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1. Some of us are familiar with CES through the important research carried out by its researchers, namely Boaventura de Sousa Santos, in different areas of knowledge. Others of us have more direct knowledge of CES and its leaders through academic visits, collaboration in research work, participation in specialization courses, lectures and seminars, etc. We have always been able to observe the exemplary functioning of the institution and its rigorous commitment to scientific research. In the same way, we have always observed the generous support given to all those who train there as researchers and professionals, as well as to citizenship movements that respect equality and social justice.

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2. We encourage all those involved in academic work to denounce any institutional violence against them, whether for reasons of sex, gender, psychomotor differences, ideological differences or any other kind. The transformation of society presupposes the transformation of institutions. However, any institution subjected to an analysis based on parameters as lacking in rigor as those invoked in the aforementioned chapter can be accused of extractive and abusive strategies. The publication of texts with such little methodological rigour calls into question the processes of scientific evaluation and objectivity, as well as the institutionalization of scientific transfer in order to guarantee the quality of the production of scientific knowledge.

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3. Since its foundation, CES has dedicated itself to developing a science committed to social equality, frequently denouncing different types of social injustice. It has thus become the target of discrediting actions aimed at curtailing its transformative potential, both in terms of academia and society in general, making its members particularly vulnerable, especially those in positions of responsibility. 

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4. We, the undersigned, free and feminist men and women, who are familiar with the work of this center and the actions it objectively promotes in favor of equality, wish to express our profound disagreement with all those who have created and/or disseminated an image of the institution that is totally contrary to our experience of its work and relations.

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5. Finally, we would like to express our support for Boaventura de Sousa Santos, who is the target of a discrediting campaign based on unfounded accusations which, without taking into account the presumption of innocence or even the slightest proof, allow his image to be used to fight against undesirable practices in academia. Any abusive practices based on sexual or gender inequality must be completely eradicated, but precisely because of the seriousness of this type of reality that affects many women in the patriarchal system, we must be rigorous in dealing with it.

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6 - Boaventura de Sousa Santos and his team, who are the visible face of the CES, have generously and courageously dedicated their efforts to promoting initiatives to fight and protest against social inequalities. They therefore deserve to be given fair and democratic treatment in accordance with current legal guarantees.

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June 19, 2024