Native Scientists deputy director received the NOVA FCSH Alumni Award

Joana Bordalo, Deputy Director of Native Scientists and co-founder of the Same Home Town (SHT) programme, was awarded the NOVA FCSH Alumni Award for Rising Star in the Social Sciences from the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences of NOVA University of Lisbon (FCSH-UNL). The award distinguishes alumni under the age of 35 who have made remarkable contributions to their fields.

“It is an honour to receive this award. I share it with everyone who has supported me throughout my journey, making possible the co-creation of Associação Native Scientists, the SHT programme, and the social impact we have been generating over the years”, is Joana’s first comment.

The award recognises Joana’s contribution to increasing scientific literacy and to reducing educational inequalities through her work at Native Scientists. The award ceremony took place on November 11th in Lisbon, as part of the institution’s 47th anniversary celebrations. 

Circular Education and Social Impact

The SHT programme is based on an innovative educational methodology that brings children and scientists together through Circular Education, with scientists returning to their former primary schools to lead unique hands-on workshops.

Since its launch in 2021, this educational programme has grown remarkably. In the 2024/25 academic year, it achieved its best results to date, taking 100 scientists back to their hometowns and engaging 3,881 children across 48 municipalities. The programme continues to expand, aiming to make Portugal the first country in the world where every child has met a scientist from their own hometown before going to the 5th grade.

For Joana, SHT’s impact is most strongly felt in the reactions of the children, particularly in regions that are geographically remote or have fewer opportunities to access science education, such as the Azores. She recalls one of these moments when a nine-year-old from São Miguel Island said, “So that means I can be a scientist too?” For her, that was the moment she realised that this is the impact we want to create.

A Path of Collaboration and Commitment

Joana joined Native Scientists in September 2020, and in 2021 helped establish the Portuguese legal entity and has since contributed to consolidating the organization as a reference in science communication in Portugal and across Europe.

Throughout her career, she has led teams, built partnerships and collaborated with institutions such as the Directorate-General for Education, the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) and the Regional Government of the Azores, strengthening the connection between science, education and communities, especially those with less access to science education.

Her work and commitment have been recognised both nationally and internationally, with distinctions such as Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise (2023), the Best Talk Award at the PCST Conference (2023) and the Alumni Award from the US Embassy (2024).

Recognition that Reflects a Collective Purpose

For Native Scientists, this distinction represents more than the recognition of an individual journey. It also reflects the collective impact generated by a community of scientists, teachers, schools and partners who believe in the transformative power of science.

This recognition further strengthens Native Scientists’ mission to continue building bridges between scientific knowledge and those who can benefit most from it.

The NOVA FCSH Alumni Award also reinforces Native Scientists’ vision of a fairer, more inclusive and scientifically literate Europe, where science is a language of connection and social transformation.