Sofia Vieira Lopes

Biography

Sofia is an integrated researcher at INET-md. She holds a PhD in Musicology – Ethnomusicology (2023) from the FCSH NOVA University of Lisbon, with a project funded by FCT (SFRH/BD/103718/2014), resulting in the thesis entitled Music, Television, Memory, and Representation: A Study of the RTP Song Festival (1964–2020). She also holds a Master’s degree in Musicology – Ethnomusicology (2012) from the same institution, with the dissertation: “Duas horas vivas numa TV morta”: Zip-Zip, Music, and Television in the Prelude to Democracy in Portugal. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Musicology (2009) at NOVA FCSH. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s in New Media and Web Practices (NOVA FCSH).

Her research focuses on topics such as the RTP Song Contest, Eurovision Song Contest, music festivals, music and television, media and the music industry, protest songs, wind bands, memory, and identity.

Sofia is the creator and team leader of the International Conference EUROVISIONS (Lisbon 2018, Tel Aviv 2019, Online [Rotterdam] 2020 and 2021, Turin 2022, Liverpool 2023, Malmö 2024, Basel 2025), a long-term partnership between Portugal, Germany, the UK, and the host countries. She was an FCT BII (BII2008-FCSH-INET-MD) grantee for the project “Popular Music in Twentieth Century Portugal” (2008-2009) and a member of the research teams for the projects “ORFEU (1956-1983): The Politics and aesthetics of popular music production and consumption in modern Portugal” (2018-2021) and “EcoMusic – Sustainable practices: a study of the post-folklorism in Portugal in the 21st century” (2018-2021), developed by INET-md. She was a contracted researcher (UIBD/00472/2020) at INET-md (2022-2023). Sofia has also developed two projects under the Erasmus+ program, at Goldsmiths University of London (Fan Tourism, Nation and City Branding in Transnational Music Events, OUT_2020_0293) and at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Urban Popular Music, Broadcasted Music Festivals, and the Role of Women in Contemporary Music Practices, OUT_2022_0363).

She regularly presents her work at national and international academic events in countries such as Sweden, Israel, Italy, the UK, and others. She is the author of several scientific articles and book chapters. She co-authored the documentary Festival da Canção – 60 anos (RTP1 2024), co-authored the podcast Quis saber quem sou (Antena 1 2024), and frequently participates in radio, television programs, or interviews for newspapers (Antena 1, RTP1, Observador, Delano).

Sofia created and taught the seminar/curricular unit ‘Music Festivals in Portugal and Europe’ (2022-2023 and 2023-2024) for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees at NOVA FCSH. She has been a guest lecturer at NOVA University Lisbon (Musicology – Ethnomusicology), at the University of Salamanca (History of Portuguese Culture in the Second Half of the 20th and Early 21st Century through Popular Music and Television, 2017), at Goldsmiths University of London (Cultural Diplomacy, 2019), and at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Ethnomusicology and Popular Music Studies, 2023). Since 2009, she has been teaching in several specialized music education institutions and was also part of the pedagogical direction and coordination team of the Escola de Artes do Alentejo Litoral (Sines).

She is a board member of SIBE – Sociedad de Etnomusicología and was President of the Fiscal Council of SPIM (2013-2015).

Currently, she is an independent consultant on the committee monitoring the implementation of the DGARTES sustained support programme (2023-2026) and serves on the project evaluation committee for the Ibermúsicas cooperation program.

Project

EUROVISIONS: Perspectives from Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

The EUROVISIONS International Conference is a vibrant annual gathering that celebrates the intersection of music, media, and science, inspired by the iconic Eurovision Song Contest. Since its inception in 2018, the conference has been a collaborative effort spearheaded by Sofia Vieira Lopes (INET-md, FCSH NOVA, Portugal) and Irving Wolther (Center for World Music, Germany) who share a common interest for the Eurovision Song Contest and a diverse range of professional experiences, including academic research, media, music, and teaching. They were joined by Carla Figueira (Goldsmiths University of London, UK), Isabel Campêlo (INET-md, FCSH NOVA, Portugal), and Wilfred van Dellen (University College Maastricht, The Netherlands).

Driven by their shared interests and good humour, the organizers have worked tirelessly to create a unique platform for dialogue and exchange. Their combined expertise has enabled the conference to flourish, establishing partnerships with local entities and expanding its reach both online and in live settings. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, the organizers have curated a lineup of speakers representing academia, fan communities, media professionals, and other Eurovision enthusiasts, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all participants.

EUROVISIONS has already taken place in Lisbon (2018), Tel Aviv (2019), Online [Rotterdam] (2020 and 2021), Turin (2022), Liverpool (2023), and Malmö (2024), and in 2025 it will be held in Basel. Each year, the EUROVISIONS International Conference coincides with the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals week, providing attendees with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to immerse themselves in the excitement of this global cultural phenomenon. From insightful panel discussions to interactive workshops, the conference offers a diverse array of programming that explores the multifaceted impact of the Eurovision Song Contest on society, identity, and creativity. Whether in person or online, participants come together to debate Eurovision and foster meaningful connections across borders and disciplines.

As part of this project, other activities were carried out, such as: two sessions of EurovisionSeries (2022); Wiki Loves Portuguese Music (2023); EUROVISIONS-RESEARCH-NETWORK JiscMail. EUROVISIONS is already a nationally and internationally recognized initiative, not only in the academic field but also by key players in the media industry, namely the European Broadcasting Union and RTP.

Keywords: Eurovision, International Conference, Interdisciplinarity, Inclusion