Fernando Ilharco

Fernando Ilharco is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), and President of the Center for the Study of Portuguese-Speaking Peoples and Cultures (CEPCEP). He is also a researcher at the Center for Communication and Culture Studies (CECC) at UCP. His academic journey includes a PhD in Information Systems from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an MBA from Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics.

• PhD in Information Systems – London School of Economics and Political Science
• MBA – Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, UCP

His research centers on three primary themes: (i) communication, technology, and change; (ii) communication, influence, and leadership; and (iii) philosophy of communication and epistemology. Drawing from phenomenology and Heideggerian thought, his work explores human experience, relational dynamics, and social norms in digital contexts. He integrates philosophy with practical communication challenges in leadership and technology.

The recent scholarly output, including works like Being-in-the-screen and Lições da pandemia, reflects a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining communication theory, digital ethics, and cultural studies. His publications frequently engage with artificial intelligence, pandemic response, and media’s role in leadership, indicating a forward-looking research agenda at the intersection of technology and human values.

Fernando Ilharco has led and coordinated multiple research projects, including:

• DTx: Digital Transformation CoLab (PI)
• ProPEGE: A drone to promote gender equality (PI)
• Communication and Artificial Intelligence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (Project Coordinator)
• Lessons from the Pandemic (Project Coordinator)
• In Portuguese: Speaking, Living and Thinking in the 21st Century (PI)

Since 2003, he has supervised over 100 master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral theses, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to academic mentorship. He teaches advanced communication courses at both PhD and master’s levels and conducts executive training on leadership, communication, and change management. His work connects academic research with real-world applications across public and private sectors.

He is actively involved in research networks and has collaborated on multidisciplinary initiatives focusing on digital transformation, gender equality, and the future of the Portuguese language. His leadership in CEPCEP and CECC underscores his role in promoting cultural and communicative studies within Portuguese-speaking communities.