PEOPLES' is a structure based on the  Centre for Social Studies (CES)  of the University of Coimbra.  CES, created in 1978 at the Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, and, since its foundation, headed by Professor Boaventura de Sousa Santos, is a scientific institution dedicated to research in the field of social sciences. Currently, CES numbers more than 150 researchers and more than 280 students integrated in 11 Doctoral Programs, 4 Observatories and 5 Research Groups. CES body of researchers is formed by a multidisciplinary team that develops work characterized by the combination of analytical and methodological pluralism and theoretical rigor, focusing on the implementation of joint initiatives with both civil society and public institutions.

 The expansion of scientific activity of CES Coimbra and the extension of its international cooperation networks led to dialogues and partnerships that enabled the emergence of other research and training institutions, such as the CES Lisbon, CES Latin America and CES Maputo.

 In the light of CES ability to develop research in an innovative way, concerned with the current transformations both in the South and the North of the planet, as well as the Centre's involvement on issues of public interest (such as public policy and new forms of regulation, the relationship between scientific knowledge and public participation, the legal system and the reform of the justice administration), in February 2002, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education recognized CES work and granted it the status of Associate Laboratory.

For more information, see: www.ces.uc.pt