LIACOM researcher Cláudia Silvestre once again joined the team of supervisors for the “Be a Researcher for Three Weeks” programme, organised by the Centre of Statistics and Applications of the University of Lisbon (CEAUL). Now in its sixth edition, the programme challenges higher education students to develop introductory research projects through short-term research internships. Cláudia Silvestre supervised the project “Do We Have Clean Air?”.

The project provided Rebecca Silva, a second-year Master’s student in Human Biology and Environment at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL), and Johanna Uusitalo, a third-year Bachelor’s student in Applied Mathematics at FCUL, with an introductory research experience focused on applying the scientific method. Over the course of three weeks, the participants conducted a literature review, formulated research questions and hypotheses, collected and analysed data, and used tools such as Excel and R to examine the results, identify patterns, and test their hypotheses.

By analysing air quality and its impact on public health and the environment, the project highlighted the contribution of Statistics to understanding complex problems and generating evidence-based knowledge. At the same time, it encouraged reflection on the importance of sustainability and the role of research in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project’s final presentation took place on 17 July, during the programme’s closing session, held at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. Rebecca Silva and Johanna Uusitalo presented the main findings of their work under the supervision of Cláudia Silvestre, who is also a researcher at CEAUL.

Cláudia Silvestre’s participation in this initiative reinforces LIACOM‘s commitment to promoting applied research, statistical literacy, and the training of future researchers by fostering projects that integrate data analysis, scientific communication, and sustainability.