UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA

Their core work

UFBA is a major Brazilian federal university based in Salvador, Bahia, contributing to European research through its strengths in social sciences, humanities, and ocean sciences. The university brings a Global South perspective to EU consortia, particularly in studies of colonial history, gender politics, and Atlantic ocean ecosystems. Their researchers participate as specialists in large international projects, providing expertise on Latin American and Iberian colonial contexts as well as tropical Atlantic marine observations.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UFBA's early H2020 involvement (2016-2018) centered on health research (asthma phenotyping) and colonial history (Iberian empire resistance movements). From 2020 onward, their portfolio shifted notably toward ocean science (Atlantic ecosystem monitoring) and contemporary social theory (biopolitics, gender identity, reproductive rights). This represents a move from historical and biomedical research toward environmental science and politically engaged humanities.

UFBA is expanding into interdisciplinary environmental and social justice research, making them an increasingly relevant partner for projects needing Global South expertise in both marine science and critical social theory.

How they like to work

UFBA has never coordinated an H2020 project — they join as participants or third-party partners in larger consortia. With 59 unique partners across 20 countries from just 4 projects, they operate within very large international networks. This profile suggests a specialist contributor that brings regional expertise and access to Brazilian research infrastructure rather than driving project design.

Despite only 4 projects, UFBA has collaborated with 59 partners across 20 countries, reflecting participation in large-scale EU consortia. Their network spans Europe and the Americas, with a strong transatlantic dimension tied to Iberian and Atlantic-focused research.

What sets them apart

UFBA's key differentiator is its position as a major Brazilian university offering authentic Global South perspectives within European research frameworks. For consortium builders, they provide access to Brazilian research communities, tropical Atlantic field sites, and Latin American social contexts that few EU-based partners can offer. Their combination of humanities, ocean science, and health expertise is unusually broad for a non-European partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AtlantECO
  Large-scale All-Atlantic ecosystem project with direct EC funding of EUR 117,750 — their most substantial funded role and a bridge to marine science networks.
• TRIALOGUES
  Timely research on gender identity, surrogacy, and reproductive rights from a Global South perspective — a topic with growing policy relevance in both Europe and Latin America.
• RESISTANCE
  Ambitious historical project spanning four centuries of rebellion across Iberian colonial empires, connecting Brazilian and European scholarly communities.