Expertise
science
technology and innovation policy development
technology management
Manuel Heitor graduated with a PhD in mechanical engineering from Imperial College London, and did a post-doctoral at the University of California, San Diego. Serving in the Portuguese government since 2005, he was Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education from 2015 to 2022. His research work includes publications in the area of the management of technology and the development of science, technology and innovation policies.
He first visited the IC2 Institute in the early 1990s and over the years built strong ties between Portugal and IC2 (and other top US universities). With Fellow David Gibson and colleagues, he launched the International Conferences on Technology Policy and Innovation in 1997 in Macau, 1998 in Portugal, 1999 in Austin with following yearly conferences in South America, Asia, and Europe, resulting in the book series ‘International Series on Technology Policy and Innovation’ and numerous journal articles.
Following his years in government, Manuel has returned to his professorship at IST Lisbon. He writes, “I have learnt that our common goal to foster a better world can only be achieved with more research and innovation, promoting new knowledge frontiers, together with building new ‘networks of opportunity’ for young bright minds.
