PRR Project

Summary

This tenure position aims to further and broaden Digital Education and Learning research at CIIE, reinforcing existing trends and the Laboratory for Digital Experimentation and Research in Education (LabDERE). LabDERE aims to develop and disseminate methodologies and knowledge in education, focusing on digital technologies, and seeking intersections with areas of social intervention and the arts. As such, this position is strongly articulated with other FCT tenure positions in this call. Besides the obvious links with the proposed Assistant Professor on Digital Education and Transformation, this position will also engage mainly with Assistant Professors in Adult Education, Teacher Education and Professional Development, and Arts Education.Technology permeates every aspect of daily life in our digital era, and the educational field is no exception. The integration of digital technologies in education, as endorsed by international agencies such as UNESCO and the European Commission, is driving a redefinition of education, fundamentally challenging teaching, learning and assessment practices.These international agencies highlight the importance of aligning education with the digital skills needed for the 21st century, promoting personalised, attainable, and inclusive learning for all. UNESCO, for example, in its ICT teacher skills framework, emphasises the need to integrate technology in a way that enriches the learning experience and develops critical digital skills for both students and teachers.Similarly, through initiatives such as the Digital Education Action Plan, the European Commission highlights digitisation as a strategic priority, emphasising the creation of inclusive, effective, and connected digital learning environments. These international guidelines point to the urgency of taking advantage of digital technologies to transform educational systems, making them more interactive and aligned with the demands of the contemporary world.These goals sustain processes of integrating technology in education, recognised globally, despite the obvious challenges, as a lever for innovation and continuous improvement, encouraging pedagogical approaches that respond to immediate needs and prepare students for a digital future. This reconfigured landscape requires educational institutions to be at the forefront of adopting educational practices that align with these global guidelines, ensuring that education remains relevant, effective and inclusive in the digital age.As such, the possibilities opened up by LabDERE are of particular relevance for this position. LabDERE is a space for knowledge construction and methodological innovation around critical literacies and ethics in the presence and use of digital technologies in education. It creates opportunities for research on emerging technologies, such as AI, gamification, or big data; the exploration of digital methodologies, digital citizenship and digital participation; the training of educational professionals; and the development of digital formats dedicated to communicating and disseminating science. LabDERE will also engage with a network of Future Rooms across the North Region to support supports the dynamisation of these spaces through CIIE projects and staff (on digital education, science education, citizenship and co-creation), and the selected candidate will have a central role in this process.The candidate is expected to have a PhD in Education Sciences or related areas,  with a focus on digital education and learning. It is essential that applicants have comprehensive knowledge of educational technologies and know how to apply them to enrich learning. As such, the selection process will include requests for a proven track record of research into digital technologies in teaching and learning processes, including knowledge of online teaching methodologies, gamification and other pedagogical innovations. The candidate must not only understand and analyse current trends but also be able to innovate and experiment with new pedagogical approaches that incorporate digital technologies. At the same point, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the ethical issues related to digital education, ensuring that technology is used responsibly and promotes inclusion and equity. Connections with professional organisations and the education community will also be valued.