João Emílio Alves is Sociologist. Academic training: PhD in Sociology, specialization in Development Sociology, since 2010. Thesis Title: Network Partners: territorialized strategies for local development in the areas of employment and training Master's in Sociology, specialization in City Planning and requalification, since 2003 Thesis Title: Rural heritage and development: from the institutional discourse to the local dynamics. The Revitalization program of villages and historic towns of Alentejo region (Portugal) Professional activity: . Associate Professor in the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre - School of Education and Social Sciences; . Pro-President for Research and Innovation in the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre; . Coordinator of N-CSHS (Research Center for Social Sciences, Humanities and Health) - Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre . Member of the coordinating team of Classes, Inequality and Public Policy Section - Sociology Portuguese Association; Areas of expertise / current research interests: . Sociology of Development (social, regional and local); . Territorial planning; . Evaluation studies of public policies, programs and projects of regional, local and social development. Research Associate of: CIES-IUL(http://cies.iscte-iul.pt/investigadores/ficha.jsp?pkid=31&a=-1560445079) and CICS.NOVA (https://www.cics.nova.fcsh.unl.pt/research-groups-1/2-citizenship-work-and-technology/work-organizations-and-professional-trajectories/joao-emilio-alves-1).Integrated Researcher of VALORIZA (Research Center for the Valorization of Endogenous Resources) of the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre.