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- Preparing future communication professionals for disasters and emergencies: integrating WHO RCCE-IM into public relations educationPublication . Nunes, Tatiana; Raposo, Ana Luísa; Claxton, NancyPreparing future communication professionals for disasters and emergencies is a pressing challenge for Public Relations education. Unlike Crisis Communication which focuses on organisational response and reputational threat, Risk Communication within Public Relations emphasises prevention, preparedness and behaviour change. In disaster contexts, communication is not centred on organisational image but on reducing harm, sustaining public trust and protecting lives (L’Etang, 2013; Diers-Lawson & Qureshi, 2021). Recent emergencies, including pandemics, climate-related hazards and complex humanitarian crises, show that risk communication failures significantly exacerbate vulnerability and undermine response effectiveness. Evidence from global health emergencies shows that communication constitutes an intervention in its own right, with direct consequences on mitigating harm and saving lives (Diers-Lawson & Qureshi, 2021). The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) framework is a core pillar of preparedness and response. It is one of the eight core capacities under the International Health Regulations (2024) which all States commit to develop and implement (WHO, 2005a). RCCE-IM serves as a vital communication tool, meditating between experts, authorities, media and communities while driving social and behaviour change. Trust emerges as the central organising principle, reinforcing the idea that “the overriding goal for outbreak communications is to communicate with the public in ways that build, maintain or restore trust” (WHO, 2005b). Despite its importance, RCCE-IM is largely absent from PR and Communication curricula, leaving future professionals unprepared for their roles in multidisciplinary emergencies. This paper addresses this gap through a pilot elective course on RCCE-IM in a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication at a Higher Education Institution in Portugal. Launching in the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, the course integrates WHO RCCE-IM principles and tools into PR education oriented toward disasters and health emergencies. This is the first such course in a communications faculty with plans to additionally develop an aligned curriculum for public health and medical students in Ukraine. To assess the impact of integrating RCCE-IM into PR education, this study adopts the WHO Capability Mapping tool (CapMap) as its primary evaluation framework. CapMap is a capability-based self-assessment instrument developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe to support professionals working in RCCE-IM to identify strengths and areas for development across six interdependent subject areas: evidence generation, risk communication, community engagement, infodemic management, capacity-building and operational management (Gregory & Salvi, 2025). In this pilot course, students complete the CapMap assessment at the beginning and at the end of the semester. Comparative analysis of pre- and post-course self-assessments enables an examination of perceived capability development across RCCE-IM domains, offering an initial indication of the course’s contribution to strengthen these competences. The implementation of this pilot project will allow teams to assess the advantages and areas for improvement in applying this framework in the context of higher education institutions. Based on the conclusions presented, the aim is to extend this methodology to other higher education institutions, increasing the number of communication professionals trained and prepared to act in coordination with the WHO in disaster and emergencies. In conclusion, integrating RCCE-IM into Public Relations education intends to contribute to a necessary reconfiguration of professional training, positioning this framework as both an essential public health intervention and a core communication competence for the future of disaster and emergency communication.
- Organizational reputation and crisis communication strategies: the case of the Elevador da Glória funicular accidentPublication . Nunes, Tatiana; Sandra, Weinstock; Nunes, Tatiana Filipa GomesCrises represent a threat to organizations and their stakeholders, as they may affect their image and reputation (Coombs, 2023; Fearn-Banks & Kawamoto, 2024). The adoption of appropriate crisis communication strategies, which should be aligned with the potential reputational risk, influences public perception, contributing to reducing the impact of the event, protecting and, in some cases, repairing the organization’s reputation, and restoring trust among its publics and stakeholders (Benoit, 1997). As crises are perceptual events (Coombs, 2023), what organizations say and do during a crisis can influence how they are perceived by their stakeholders and, consequently, their organizational reputation. On September 3, 2025, a serious accident involving the historic funicular Elevador da Glória, in Lisbon, resulted in the death of 16 people, with 12 seriously injured and nine sustaining minor injuries. As one of the city’s most emblematic means of transport, considered the postcard of the city, the accident received extensive media coverage both nationally and internationally, placing Carris, the public company responsible for operating the system, under intense public scrutiny regarding its actions and responsibility in the accident. The study focuses on a qualitative content analysis of the crisis communication strategy developed by Carris. The analysis is based on institutional and media content published between September 3 and September 6, 2025. It includes four press releases issued by Carris, a press conference, and a public intervention by the organization’s leader, as well as news published by the newspapers Público, Expresso, and Correio da Manhã, by Lusa, the national news agency, and by the public television channel RTP during this period. The study also evaluates the adequacy of Carris’ crisis communication response to the accident. It examines how the communication timeline, the messages conveyed, and the tone of communication align with the assumptions of the most relevant theoretical approaches (Coombs, 2023; Coombs & Holladay, 2023; Benoit, 1997). It also analyzes the impact of the actions of the organization’s president, as leader and spokesperson during the crisis, on the construction of public perceptions of the crisis and on the organization’s reputation. The results show that the communication strategy adopted by Carris in response to the crisis was not appropriate to the severity of the accident or to the impact it had on the organization’s reputation. The initial response was slow, preventing Carris from taking control of the public narrative and undermining image repair efforts. Furthermore, the image repair strategies adopted, particularly evasion of responsibility, were not aligned with the attribution of responsibility for the accident to Carris, as advocated in the litera-ture. The performance of the president of Carris, in his role as organizational leader and spokesperson, also revealed a lack of preparation for a crisis of this nature, reinforcing the importance of spokesperson training for crisis scenarios of this magnitude. This accident involving the Elevador da Glória has multiple social implications. Beyond the emotional impact on the families and friends of the victims, as well as the general sense of mourning and public distress in the country, the tragedy called into question perceptions of safety and user trust in this emblematic transport system in Lisbon, leading to the precautionary suspension of all the city’s funiculars (Bica, Lavra, and initially Graça) in order to carry out rigorous technical inspections. Moreover, the way Carris managed the crisis, through a slow response and the adoption of an evasion of responsibility strategy, combined with the lack of preparation of the leader as spokesperson, undermined the credibility of public transport institutions and contributed to public perceptions of insecurity and mismanagement of an essential public service. This study presents several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the re-sults. It focuses only on the initial response to the crisis, within a limited time frame between September 3 and September 6, 2025, making it impossible to assess the long-term effects of the crisis response. In addition, the analysis is limited to press releases, social media content, and media coverage, which are secondary sources, and does not include an analysis of the direct perceptions of Carris’ stakeholders. Finally, as this is a single case study, the generalization of the findings is limited.
- Performing identity in transmedia digital narratives in the big bang theory: Penny! Penny! Penny!Publication . Sousa, VandaAbstract: Considering the concept of speech acts as performative acts of the self-identity, as Benveniste (1986) argued, with the concept of classical and digital transmedia narratives as constructors but also construal of natural narratological ecosystems, as Jenkins (2011) argues, under the gender theory (Butler,2006; Rich, 1986/2002; Foucault, 1970; Irigaray, 1977; Vidal, 2005; Héritier, 2005; Beauvoir, 2008; Showalter, 2002), we intend to discuss the female characterization (under the concept of male gaze, Mulvey, 2007); Beauvoir, 2008; Showalter, 2002), in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, focusing the characters Penny/Amy vs Sheldon/Leonard (namely, season 10, episode 2).
- Transmedia digital storytelling: let's build our story!Publication . Sousa, VandaCombining the concept of communicational act as performative of self-identity, as Benveniste (1958) argued, with the concept of classical and digital transmedia narratives as constructors of natural narratological ecosystems, as Jenkins (2003) argues, we believe we can demonstrate that Transmedia digital narratives are an important tool in Active ageing field - considered not only apolicy but as an important part of the healthy social andcultural development of each person and society in general. Thus, we will question the social marketing potential of transmedia digital content in the new communication paradigm, in which the reader becomes cooperative and constructs the meanings of the text, highlighting the new digital technology as a facilitator of the intergenerational communication process.
- The hours: the (fe)male gaze?Publication . Lousada, Isabela; Sousa, VandaAbstract Our aim is to show that the literary convention (renowned midday topos) is translatable to the text of a moving image using the grammatical code and sign constructs of film text (Wollen, 1984) present in Virginia Woolf 's novel (Mrs. Dalloway-1996 1). There, the convention in question is used in its most classical sense, in writing, and in the literary use of space, light, colours and movement. Adapted from Virginia Woolf 's novel, Michael Cunningham's text The Hours (1998) maintains the classicism of the convention. However, the film The Hours (2002) suggests the affirmation of this same classicism but reverses the terms: underlying danger is transformed into a possibility of salvation and auspicious events, of the preservation of the soul, even if through death. Similar to the two literary texts on which it is based, the film employs the same elements (space, light, colours, and movement) to which we might add the scenography design (framework by opposing interior/women and exterior/men), framing emphasizing the field and the off-field, the mise-en-scène, and the soundtrack.
- Tourists’ sustainability values and their role in co- creation processesPublication . Severino, Filipe Segurado; Costa, Teresa; Santos, Zelia Raposo; Machado, Ana Teresa; Nunes, SandraPurpose – This study examines whether tourists’ sustainability values influence their perceived value of co-creation and their intention to participate in co-creation activities. While sustainability is an increasing priority in tourism, the extent to which sustainability- conscious tourists actively engage in co-creation remains unclear. Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing tourism strategies that effectively engage tourists in co-creation while promoting sustainability-driven experiences.
- Perceptions and realities of Lisbon: an examination of the image of a tourist destinationPublication . Severino, Filipe Segurado; Roque, Ana Gláucia; Cristina, Margarida; Santos, Zelia Raposo; Nunes, Sandra; Costa, TeresaAbstract Destination image is related to comprising cognitive, emotional, and conative components and includes an individual's thoughts, ideas, and perceptions of a place. Images consistently coincide with the internalisation of distinct perspectives, demonstrating that people have different perceptions of the destiny. Influences include media, authority figures, music, and movies. Although the experience may not match their initial expectations, these effects form their preconceived beliefs and expectations of a trip. Accordingly, it is important to explore the trustfulness of the positioning of tourist destinations to ascertain its alignment with the expectations of tourists. Given that, Lisbon has been regarded as one of the foremost European cities in recent years, owing to its high level of accessibility and its multifaceted sensory attributes, it was deemed pertinent to investigate the perceptions of the visitors towards the city. The present study used a mixed methods approach, incorporating a multimedia component that showcases various locations in the Lisbon region with open-ended questionnaires to gather the perspectives of the tourists and a closed-ended questionnaire that inquiries about the primary factors that attract visitors to Lisbon. This analysis employed graphical representations, including word clouds and graphics to explore the identified impressions. The research revealed a robust association between cultural, historical, and aesthetic variables and the choice of travel destination. Certain visual representations highlight the imperative of pursuing sustainable and responsible development to mitigate the potential for enduring degradation. This holds significance as certain images are linked to instances of environmental and social irresponsibility. The study also revealed that History and Heritage emerged as the most significant factors that attract individuals, followed by Cultural Attractions, Weather and Climate, Gastronomy, and Panoramic Views and Landscapes. A notable perception exists regarding the insufficiency of sustainability and eco-friendly practices, underscoring the necessity for targeted sustainability endeavours to promote responsible and sustainable development of tourism destinations. Indeed, additional research on the contrast of perception and reality at the location is needed to evaluate the picture provided to visitors. However, understanding tourist-relevant areas like Lisbon is a good foundation for advertising them, allowing various stakeholders to make authentic and valuable marketing decisions.
- An importance–performance analysis approach to a tourism destination: the case of Lisbon metropolitan area, PortugalPublication . Costa, Maria Teresa; Calisto, Maria de Lurdes; Santos, Zelia Raposo; Severino, Filipe Segurado; Nunes, Sandra; Rosário, João Ferreira doAbstract: Pull factors, the attributes of a specific location, matter in tourism. These factors encompass the distinctive characteristics and alluring features that attract tourists to a destination, their importance and performance influencing the decision-making process and overall experience. A clear comprehension of this concept is crucial for destinations' economic vitality as they compete for tourists and strive for economic expansion and employment prospects. Indeed, an in-depth knowledge of these factors' importance and performance underscores the need for regions to adjust their approach to evolving tourist preferences. This adaptation is crucial to fostering responsible and sustainable tourism practices that safeguard cultural and natural resources. However, besides learning about the factors considered critical by tourists to visit a location, it is paramount to analyse how they evaluate the performance of each of these factors while staying there.This study focuses on the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), Portugal, and the findings will provide essential insights into destination competitiveness, sustainable tourism development, and the creation of unique travel experiences. As a destination that gained popularity, attracting tourists from all over the world, it is necessary to comprehend the specific factors that contribute to this vibrant region's allure and how it performs regarding them. The research will use the Importance-Performance Analysis to make data interpretation accessible and suggest relevant measures to improve competitiveness based on optimising the allocation of resources among the various factors/attributes analysed. The research incorporates numerous criteria categories, including historical significance, urban appeal, natural scenery, culinary experiences, cultural heritage, and aspects like streets' cleanliness, transport availability, or health emergency infrastructures.The study's conclusions will impact Lisbon region's (LMA) tourism and destination management. By understanding what factors are more important for tourists that visit the area and their evaluation of the performance of each of these factors,stakeholders can improve marketing, infrastructure, and the visitors' experience to promote sustainable development and maintain Lisbon's standing as a top tourist destination for rewarding and enlightening experiences. Relevant data is also provided to inform future tourism initiatives. This study adds to the academic discussion of location competitiveness and unique travel experiences.
- The macro context for entrepreneurship in tourism: a review of emerging trendPublication . Costa, Maria Teresa; Calisto, Maria de Lurdes; Machado, Ana Teresa; Santos, Zelia Raposo; Nunes, Sandra; Severino, Filipe SeguradoAbstract: Tourism has an enormous economic and employment potential, which, at least until 2019, encouraged many countries to develop their tourism offer and attract more tourists. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and nowadays, Europe, the most important tourism destination in the world, faces a new war and refugee crisis. Tourism is an activity that propels the economy and job creation internationally; nevertheless, the activity is vulnerable to macro environment events. Both aspects are crucial issues for tourism entrepreneurs. Therefore, it is relevant to understand the emerging trends that entrepreneurs may face. Based on a systematic literature review, this paper aims to identify the major macro-environmentalfactors that impact tourism activity by answering the following research question: What contextual factors should entrepreneurs expect to impact their businesses? A systematic literature review was conducted in three steps: 1) selection of the relevant sources (on WoS and Scopus-indexed journals) using appropriate selection criteria that fitted the research questions; 2) assessment of the selected articles according to exclusion criteria to reach a final sample of articles; 3) full analysis of the base of final articles to identify emerging trends associated to relevant contextual factors. Results suggest that political-legal, technological, sociocultural, and sustainability-related factors have been the most relevant ones. This study has relevant contributions to practice since it highlights what entrepreneurs should expect from the macro environment. It also contributes to tourism literature by opening new lines of research and synthesising the trends impacting tourism activity.
- Arriving and already being there: phenomenology of the gaze, border, and alterity in contemporary societiesPublication . Sousa, VandaThis article proposes an interdisciplinary reflection on the relationship between migration, alterity, language, and contemporary regimes of visuality, seeking to understand how the gaze participates in the symbolic construction of the Other in contemporary societies. Drawing on a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, the study articulates contributions from phenomenology, hermeneutics, semiotics, philosophy of language, and visual studies in order to argue that borders do not emerge solely from geography, but primarily from cultural, discursive, and perceptual processes of differentiation. Based on authors such as Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Martin Heidegger, Paul Ricoeur, Émile Benveniste, Algirdas Julien Greimas, Emmanuel Levinas, Hans Jonas, Marc Augé, and Jacques Rancière, the article argues that the migrant should not be understood merely as a political or territorial figure, but as a paradigmatic expression of the contemporary human condition. Migration is therefore approached not only as physical displacement, but also as an existential, narrative, and perceptual experience shaping contemporary forms of inhabiting the world. The article analyses how contemporary regimes of visuality, deeply mediated by digital platforms, algorithmic systems, and media dispositifs, participate in the symbolic production of alterity. It argues that the contemporary gaze organizes forms of recognition, exclusion, and invisibility that condition the experience of the Other in digital societies. Simultaneously, migrant alterity is understood as a mirror of the vulnerability and instability constitutive of human existence. The study concludes that contemporaneity demands an ethical and aesthetic reconfiguration of the gaze capable of overcoming the automatic mechanisms of classification and exclusion that organize the symbolic borders of the present. To inhabit the world poetically implies relearning how to welcome what arrives without immediately reducing it to category, threat, or exteriority. In this sense, perhaps we are all, in some way, migrants within our own existence.