LINI is the outcome of the networking of four Portuguese research institutions (CIES, MRC, ADETTI and OberCom). The Lisbon Internet and Networks Institute intends to become a key player in the networking of information and communication technologies and the scientific domains of social and political sciences, economics, management and open source technologies. Our aim is to develop around these scientific areas a leading research node in the world networks of excellence.
LINI is a research centre for the multidisciplinary study of the Internet, networks and society, our mission is to foster academic research on the impact of the Internet and networks on society, informing policy and generating debate. LINI working and publication language is English. LINI also aims to give worldwide young researchers the ability to develop in Portugal expertise on the impact of the Internet and networks on society.
We intend to focus our attention in Europe, Portuguese Speaking Countries and Latin America, but also extending our research to themes and areas in North America, Asia and Africa.
The need for a research programme on Internet and Networks in Portugal
The need for a research programme for Internet and networks research and policy studies based in Portugal has been raised several times along the last ten years but, until very recently, the critical mass in research had not yet been reached. The moment seems to be the right one if we take into account the science policy and general objectives of the Lisbon Agenda and Treaty, combining both an ideal of innovation, science driven policy, networking of institutions, fostering of science based human resources in innovative projects and the overall reanalysis of the European objectives.
LINI, as a research programme, fits in well under such a framework, and both its objectives and network of human resources excellence, might be able to bring into Portugal a node of excellence in the global networks of science and, at the same time, give the Portuguese institutions and private companies new insights and networks into the global arena of policy and business.
In what LINI differs from other existent research programmes in similar scientific areas?
LINI differs from other existing research programmes in the approach and in the processes. The following points depict those differences:
Well-defined, inter-related and "hot" areas. LINI addresses 4 main ICT areas critical to development, policy making and enterprises growth. Those areas are recognized not only in Lisbon agenda but also FP7 and today’s science roadmap all around the World. The majority of the themes identified in the 4 areas address areas of expertise not yet fully covered by other international research centres.
World class quality of science. Its vision claims the permanent pursuing of excellence in research. Publishing, presenting and sharing knowledge with world most notable scientists is in LINI nature and it should be accessed by world top-class metrics.
Stability and long-range strategy. The networking of competences and resources shared by CIES, MRC, ADETTI and OberCom will provide a stability that will allow pursuing an international recognition while fund-raising will happen in a natural way for balancing the funding sources.
