The Observatory of Changing Society (OSeM) is the interdisciplinary observatory of the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon (ICS-ULisboa), established in 2024. Its main mission is to disseminate the scientific knowledge produced at ICS-ULisboa, to encourage the exchange of information with broad and diverse audiences and to promote the co-production of knowledge, in an accessible way, with these audiences.

Drawing from the vast scientific heritage and national and international research experience of ICS-ULisboa as an Associated Laboratory and Research Unit of Excellence, as well as the extensive expertise acquired with the former ICS-ULisboa Observatories, OSeM aims to collaborate with civil society and public and private institutions in the co-production of studies, monitoring structural processes and emerging trends, summarising and disseminating data, providing specialised training and capacity building, offering consultancy services and monitoring and evaluating public programmes and policies, with a view to co-creating responses to Portugal's complex challenges in the contemporary global world.

The OSeM's main thematic lines (identical to those of ICS-ULisboa) are:

• Inclusion and Vulnerabilities, which explores the multiple faces of inequality and its effects;
• Citizenship, which examines the multiple dimensions of democratic citizenship in emerging and consolidated democracies;
• Sustainability, which focuses on creating sustainable futures through multifaceted expertise on the environment and climate change, food security and urban transformations;
• Memory and Legacies, which analyses the legacies of colonialism and the construction of social memory.

Objectives

• To disseminate scientific production on the Portuguese society in an accessible and intelligible way to wide and diverse audiences, through different means and resources, such as its website, uploading current and systematised content online, regularly organising colloquia, conferences and seminars open to the public and promoting skilling, training and lifelong learning courses.

• To make data and secondary information available to decision-makers, the media and the general public, with the aim of ensuring up-to-date and rigorous information on the state of Portuguese society in different dimensions of social life. In particular, it seeks to create and disseminate indicators that portray historical and social processes and examine the challenges facing contemporary Portuguese society.

• To monitor historical processes and recent trends in Portuguese society, as well as public policies and responses promoted by society, with a view to informing decision-making processes. In this area, the OSeM's work is guided by principles of independence and scientific accuracy in the production of specialised information that allows decision-makers and promoters to define goals and stages of progress, as well as evaluate the results of implemented measures.

• To co-produce scientific knowledge on specific issues in Portuguese society, in different social spheres. The observatory has a collaborative vocation with other public bodies and/or civil society, by carrying out studies, reports, statements and consultancies, organising participatory processes and responding to requests from public, private and non-governmental institutions. This vocation is accomplished with openness to different fields of knowledge and theoretical and methodological traditions, as well as ethical and social responsibility.

• To take part in current public debates for Portugal, promoting and organising events and participating in initiatives that stimulate collective reflection and activate a culture of civic and democratic participation, with a view to improving citizens’ empowerment, quality of life and well-being. We liaise with the media and organise and take part in debates and programmes.