Author and Affiliation: Raquel Aires-Barros, Full Professor, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa

Bio: I am a Full Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, and a researcher at the Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências (iBB). I graduated from Instituto Superior Técnico in 1984 in Chemical Engineering. I was a visiting researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) between 1986-1987. I obtained a master's degree in Biotechnology (Biochemical Engineering), a PhD in Chemical Engineering, and habilitation (2001) from IST. I was Vice-President of the Conselho Científico and a member of the Comissão Coordenadora do Conselho Científico of IST (2007-2009). Between 2012 and 2020, I was President of the Conselho Pedagógico of IST. Since 2021, I have been Vice-President of the Conselho de Escola of IST. In 2022, I was appointed Técnico's Education Ombudsman. At iBB, I lead a research group focused on the development of new processes for the production and purification of biopharmaceuticals and the development of these processes on a microscale. I am the president of the Downstream Processing (DSP) section of the European Society of Biochemical Engineering Sciences (ESBES); and president of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Biotecnologia. I am the editor of the journal Separation and Purification Technology. I have supervised over 70 master's and doctoral theses and am the author/co-author of more than 250 articles and book chapters in the fields of Biotechnology and Bioengineering.

Title: Guiding Values: Towards an open and welcoming environment

Abstract: Our Values and Behaviors are at the core of everything we do. They guide our behavior as the Técnico community. By defining these Values and Behaviors and incorporating them into our daily work and study life, we can better understand what is expected of us, recognize and support positive behaviors, and actively address inappropriate conduct.

After identifying the need to map the perceptions and needs of the Técnico community regarding the expected Values and Behaviors of each constituent, Helena Geirinhas Ramos, Vice-President for Administrative Management of the Conselho de Gestão, established an independent working group for the design and development of a guide that compiled guiding values and behaviors aligned with the institution's mission and values. The Working Group was led by Professor Raquel Aires Barros and included the participation of student Inês Sá, administrative staff Isabel Gonçalves, João Patrício and Marta Pile, professors Nuno Mamede and Patrícia Figueiredo and researcher Joana Lobo Antunes.

The Working Group identified five values: Respect, Collaboration, Excellence, Integrity, and Innovation. The Técnico community was invited to participate in defining these values and the behaviors and attitudes that are expected of us as members of this community. Nine discussion group sessions were held, with the participation of 82 volunteers, and 55 contributions were recorded through an online form. Participation was open to all students, technical and administrative staff, professors, and researchers.

The result was compiled into the guide "Valores Orientadores – por um ambiente aberto e acolhedor" which is available on the Ombudsman's website here: https://provedoria.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/valores-e-comportamentos/