Leonor Sá

Leonor Sá is a researcher affiliated with the Research Centre for Communication and Culture (CECC) at Portuguese Catholic University and an investigator at the Institute of Contemporary History (IHC) at Universidade Nova de Lisboa. She has curated the Portuguese Judiciary Police Museum since 1993 and holds a PhD in Culture Studies (Portuguese Catholic University), a postgraduation in Museum Studies (Universidade Lusófona), and a master’s in German Literary Studies (Universidade de Lisboa and Universidade Nova de Lisboa).

• Education: PhD in Culture Studies, Postgrad in Museum Studies, Master in German Literary Studies.
• Key Research Areas: Cultural Heritage, Judicial/Criminal Photography, Museum Studies, 19th-20th Century History.

Her work focuses on interdisciplinary projects for cultural preservation, notably the award-winning SOS Azulejo Project (2013). She has authored two books and over 50 articles, including studies on early judicial photography and museum security protocols. Her research integrates historical, semiotic, and policy-oriented approaches to cultural heritage.

Recent publications highlight collaborations in integrated risk management for museums, conservation of Portuguese tile art, and digitization of historic photographic archives. Her projects span criminal justice history, archival incompleteness, and public engagement strategies.

Scientific Awards

• BPI-UCP-Lisbon Consortium Prize (2017)
• Grand Prix of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/EUROPA NOSTRA (2013)
• Honorable Mention - Grémio Literário (2019)

As a museum curator and researcher, she bridges academic inquiry with practical preservation efforts, advocating for interdisciplinary methodologies in safeguarding cultural assets.