On World Music Day, celebrated on 1 October, Instituto Superior Técnico has launched, for the fourth consecutive year, a challenge to its scientific community: to share how music marks their daily research by creating playlists. Eight researchers from various Research Units accepted this challenge and compiled lists of 10 tracks, showcasing the connections between their musical choices and their academic work.
These selections resulted in eight distinct playlists that span various genres, reflecting the cultural and scientific diversity present at Técnico. The initiative demonstrated how music serves not only as a personal expression but also as an integral part of the research environment at the School.
Andrei Utkin (Técnico/ INESC – INOV-Lab Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores Inovação)
«I can’t say I was the slightest bit interested in music as a child. Growing up in the countryside, there was simply no room for it. When I arrived in the city, I was struck by the diversity of music and the fact that it could make me feel sad or happy for no apparent reason».
Helga Jordão (Técnico/ CERENA – Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente)
«For me, music is a thread that ties emotions and memories together. I listen to music every day, I can’t do without. It’s my companion to calm me down, concentrate, focus, entertain, exalt happiness and love».
Hugo Plácido da Silva (Técnico/ IT – Instituto de Telecomunicações)
«For me, music is both a stimulus and an escape. Perhaps paradoxically, from a creative perspective, it acts as a catalyst allowing melodies and lyrics to help the mind “take off” to other dimensions, often bringing new ideas and connections to light when it “lands”. One of the fascinating aspects is that each experience transports me to a different dimension, providing fertile ground for ideation and innovation».
Jorge Gonçalves (Técnico/ CiTUA – Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture)
«What truly moves me are the instruments. Cellos, double basses, saxophones. In jazz and classical music, it’s the low, metallic sounds that make sense to me.»
Nuno Bernardes (Técnico/ iBB – Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences)
«Music is very important in my life and my research work because it helps me tap into a mental reservoir of inspiration and concentration. I have always enjoyed listening to various music genres, which enabled me to approach problems from different angles, stimulating creativity and opening new perspectives in my mind. Music has always allowed me to create a mental environment conducive to reflection, making it easier to immerse myself in the topics I study. Often, different rhythms help me to awaken unexpected associations to find original solutions or formulate innovative research hypotheses, or at least I hope so.»
Paulo Freitas (Técnico/ INESC-MN – Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores – Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias)
«I was exposed to music education from an early age, I had a dual education until university. The instrument (piano) has been a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life over the years: I remember seeing dozens of pianos in the dark corridors of CMU, where I would sometimes spend hours playing the piano when things weren’t going well in the laboratories during my doctoral years. Even before that, and now, the piano and music have always provided an easy and spontaneous connection between people and communities.»
Pedro Batista (Técnico/ ISR-Lisboa – Institute for Systems and Robotics)
«It’s an enchanting playlist,
Which helps daddy do his research
And lull his baby to sleep».
Vasco Guerra (Técnico/ IPFN – Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion)
«If I hadn’t studied physics, I would have pursued a career as a cellist. When I entered Técnico, I was only familiar with classical music. Discovering and helping others discover music outside of our usual sphere has been one of the constant pleasures of my family life».
