Joana Ferreira, Communication Manager

Joana Ferreira, Agência Nacional de Inovação (ANI)

• Years when you began working at INESC TEC and when you left: 2007-2014
• Service at INESC TEC where you worked: Communication Service

What have you been doing professionally since you left INESC TEC?

I left INESC TEC in 2014, in order to join Sport Zone’s e-commerce team, as a content manager. During that period, I coordinated the production and implementation of content about the company’s products, namely on the Portuguese and Spanish sites. I also produced promotional videos.

In 2016, I was hired by ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação, my current workplace. Between 2016 and 2018, I worked as communication manager, responsible for communication consultancy, content production, organi-sation of events, institutional communication, management of digital channels and internal communication initiatives. In September 2018, I was asked to coordinate ANI’s communication area, a role I dedicated myself into, until today.

How did your experience at INESC TEC contributed to your new professional history?

INESC TEC was quite important to my career.

First, INESC TEC helped me found my passion for science and technology-based R&D, as well as technology transfer, namely concerning corporate communication. In addition, and throughout the seven years I worked with the Communication Service, the array of activities I developed and the persons I interacted with were cru-cial to consolidate my knowledge about the key-agents of the National Innovation System.

Thanks to INESC TEC, I also learned how to communicate science and technology-based innovation in an ap-pealing (since it’s crucial to communicate clearly and effectively, in order to reach different target-audiences, like the media) and thorough (an indispensable requirement by INESC TEC researchers and leaders) way.

Finally, having the opportunity to work at an institution of excellence like INESC TEC, and collaborate with the Communication Service, which was (and still is) a leading example of science and technology communication in Portugal, provided me solid knowledge and professional ethics that are still important nowadays, and which I’m very proud of. In fact, and concerning the communication of science, innovation and technology, INESC TEC was always (and still is) ahead of its time.

When you think about INESC TEC, what comes to your mind?

Family. I feel that INESC TEC will always be my home.

Sandra Pinto: working and learning under Sandra’s leadership throughout several years was amazing, and an experience I’ve learned to value as time goes by. I’ve always trusted Sandra, and I always knew that she would support all members of her team, since she is quite sympathetic and fair. Moreover, Sandra always encouraged us to be creative, and to exceed on our own. Thank you very much, Sandra!