This paper results from on-going reflection within the practitioners group Plataforma de
Interface à Ciência (Platform of Professionals at the Interface of Science), an informal
nationwide network in Portugal that brings together professionals involved in a large scope
of activities related to research management, knowledge transfer and science
communication. Due to the wide scope of functions and profiles of these professionals, they
are not publicly nor institutionally recognised as part of the same professional group, which
raises barriers for their recognition as relevant players in the research & innovation
ecosystem and full achievement of their potential. We take stock of the several definitions of
their roles found in the literature and conclude on the need for an inclusive approach to
consider these roles as a profession. We propose the designation of Professionals at the
Interface of Science (PIoS) to name this wide group of professionals that sits at the interface
at all scientific disciplines.
This work was supported by European Commission: [EnvMetaGen
(grant agreement no 668981)]; Fundação para a
Ciência e a Tecnologia: [Grant Number LISBOA-01-0145-
FEDER-007654,LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007660,POCI-01-0145-
FEDER-007274,POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007746,UID/Multi/04423/2013,UID/QUI/50006/2013, UID/IC/4255/2013]; COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização
(POCI): [Grant Number LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007654,
LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007660,POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274,
POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007746,UID/Multi/04423/2013].
