Joana Mendonça, professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and researcher at the Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research (IN+), was one of the winners at the 2025 edition of the Women 3.0 Awards gala. The ceremony took place on 6 March in Oeiras, where she received the Award in the “Academia” category.
“I am very honoured to have received the Women 3.0 Award in the ‘Academia’ category. I see this recognition as a reflection of the collective work I have carried out with teams, students and colleagues over the years”, says Joana Mendonça, who is also Vice-President of Técnico for the Oeiras Campus.
Joana Mendonça’s research focuses on innovation, technology adoption, and science and innovation policies. Her work aims to address significant social challenges, such as the energy transition and technological transformations in organisations, governments, and societies. She believes that initiatives like the Women 3.0 Awards are important because “they help highlight women’s contributions in fields that are not always adequately recognised”.
The Técnico professor believes that, although it requires perseverance, research offers “a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the transformation of society”. Over the years, she has worked on entrepreneurship, open innovation and user involvement, as well as the role of public policy in promoting innovation.
“Role models and concrete examples are essential to inspire new generations and reinforce the idea that science and academia benefit from a diversity of talent and perspectives”, she emphasises. The month in which International Women’s Day is celebrated, Joana Mendonça has a message for young female researchers: “In a society where women do not always have a ‘seat at the table,’ we must amplify diverse ideas and advocate for our participation”.
The Woman 3.0 Awards are part of the G100– Club of 100 Global Women Leaders initiative. This international initiative aims to recognise and elevate the profiles of women who excel in science, economics, technology and social intervention.
