AAI Research room - CENP | FAUP
FINAL-YEAR + ERASMUS STUDENTS AT U.PORTO: JOIN OUR TEAM!
CURRICULAR INTERNSHIPS 2026/2027
Publishing · Design · Visual Research · Photography · Communication · Culture
The Architecture, Art and Image Research Group — AAI / CENP / FAUP, in collaboration with Cityscopio – Cultural Association and scopio Editions, is offering opportunities during the 2026/2027 academic year for final-year and Erasmus students interested in undertaking a curricular internship within active editorial, scientific and cultural projects.
We are looking for curious, responsible and creative students from different areas of the University of Porto — Architecture, Fine Arts, Communication Design, Photography, Multimedia, Humanities, Communication, Social Sciences, Engineering and other related fields — who are interested in bringing their own knowledge and skills into projects that connect research, publishing, culture, image and society.
We are not necessarily looking for someone who already has experience in everything we do. What matters most is an affinity with the projects, a willingness to learn, a critical approach and an interest in working collaboratively and across disciplines.
Each internship will be developed according to the student’s profile, skills and interests, and may focus primarily on one of the four projects presented below.
FOUR PROJECTS CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT
The proposed internships form part of a new phase of continuity, consolidation and development of four initiatives that we aim to strengthen through closer collaboration with different structures within the University of Porto, including its Faculties, research centres, Rectorate, U.Porto Alumni, U.Porto Press and Casa Comum, according to the specific nature of each project.
1. U.Porto Alumni Little Books
An editorial collection dedicated to celebrating and giving visibility to the work, trajectories and communities of the University of Porto.
The project is entering a new phase, with the aim of consolidating its identity and creating a genuinely transversal model capable of engaging different Faculties and academic fields across U.Porto.
An internship in this area may be particularly suited to students of Communication Design, Editorial Design, Fine Arts, Communication, Photography or Multimedia.
Possible areas of work include:
development and refinement of the collection’s visual identity;
branding and identity systems;
editorial design and typography;
creation and refinement of templates;
relationships between text and image;
research into papers, materials, printing techniques and binding;
prototyping of new volumes;
integration of print, PDF and ePUB formats;
digital communication and social media;
organisation and optimisation of editorial workflows;
development of an Identity and Procedures Manual.
The intention is for U.Porto Press progressively to assume the role of principal publisher of the collection, while scopio Editions remains an editorial partner, contributing the design and publishing experience already developed through the project.
This is therefore an opportunity to take part not simply in the production of a single book, but in the development of an editorial system capable of representing the University of Porto across different disciplines and Faculties.
2. scopio Architecture, Art and Image
scopio Architecture, Art and Image is an international open-access, peer-reviewed academic publication devoted to the relationships between Architecture, Art and Image.
The publication brings together academic articles, visual essays and artistic research, understanding photography, film and other visual practices not simply as forms of documentation, but also as critical research tools.
Possible areas of collaboration include:
editorial design;
image processing and organisation;
preparation of material for publication;
support for editorial workflows;
communication of international calls;
creation of digital content;
support for the OJS platform;
communication through academic and social networks;
research into references, authors and projects;
preparation of content associated with exhibitions, conferences or public presentations;
support for the national and international dissemination of the journal.
In 2026/2027, the publication enters a new phase of consolidation, including the development of Volume 3, (dis)placement, addressing contemporary questions such as housing, migration, territory, memory, gentrification, borders, resilience and spatial justice.
3. Sophia Journal + Sophia Books
Sophia Journal is an international open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal developed within the framework of AAI / CENP / FAUP, focusing on research at the intersection of architecture, photography, film, image, visual culture, urban studies and artistic practice.
The journal is distinguished by the way it brings together theoretical articles and visual essays, recognising the image as a means of producing knowledge in its own right.
Possible areas of work include:
support for academic and editorial processes;
organisation of articles and visual essays;
preparation and revision of content;
communication with authors and editors;
support for the OJS platform;
organisation of metadata and references;
preparation of communication materials;
international dissemination;
support for Sophia conferences;
development of website and social media content;
organisation and enhancement of the journal’s editorial archive.
Alongside this, a new publishing proposal is currently being developed: Sophia Books: Critical Companions to Image, Architecture and Visual Research.
The proposal is to transform completed thematic cycles of Sophia Journal into compact volumes of critical synthesis, creating a new book series published by U.Porto Press, with scientific and editorial coordination by Sophia Journal / AAI / CENP / FAUP.
This new strand may offer particularly interesting opportunities for students interested in:
publishing and editorial culture;
research;
book design;
organisation and structuring of knowledge;
academic communication;
internationalisation;
digital and print publishing.
The intention is to begin with a pilot volume, allowing the editorial, graphic, production and dissemination model to be tested before the collection is expanded.
4. LFA Talks
LFA Talks is a platform for critical reflection associated with the Luis Ferreira Alves International Photography Award, devoted to the relationships between photography, architecture, memory, heritage and contemporary visual culture.
The project develops through two complementary formats:
LFA Talks — public conversations, lectures, debates and round-table discussions;
LFA Talks Podcast — editorial conversations and interviews with photographers, architects, researchers, curators, jury members and award-winning authors.
The project is developed in collaboration with a range of partners, including FAUP, the Marques da Silva Foundation Institute and Casa Comum, alongside other cultural institutions connected to the LFA Award.
Possible areas of collaboration include:
background research on guests and themes;
support for episode production;
development of interview outlines and scripts;
photography and video;
audio and video editing;
design and communication;
social media content;
preparation of news items and editorial material;
archive organisation;
support for the production of events and public conversations;
national and international dissemination.
Themes include:
the legacy and work of Luis Ferreira Alves;
photography and architecture;
the photographic series as narrative;
memory, light, materiality and spatial experience;
heritage;
photography in teaching and research;
artificial intelligence and new image cultures;
the future of architectural photography.
HOW DOES THE INTERNSHIP WORK?
There is no single fixed model.
After reviewing each candidate’s CV, portfolio and areas of interest, we will identify which project may provide the most appropriate context for the internship.
A first draft work plan will then be prepared and subsequently discussed with the student and adapted to:
their interests;
their skills;
the required duration of the internship;
the curricular requirements of their Faculty or home institution;
the specific needs of the selected project.
Our aim is for each student to participate in a real process of research, publishing, design, production or communication, gradually taking on responsibilities and developing greater autonomy.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Final-year Bachelor’s or Master’s students, as well as Erasmus students, from U.Porto or, where appropriate, other higher education institutions.
We particularly value:
an interest in publishing and cultural projects;
an interest in Architecture, Art, Image, Photography or Visual Culture;
an interest in editorial design, branding and communication;
strong writing and information-organisation skills;
familiarity with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere or equivalent software;
knowledge of photography, video, sound or digital production;
an interest in research and academic communication;
the ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
critical thinking;
organisational skills and reliability in meeting deadlines;
initiative and a willingness to learn.
You do not need to have all of these skills.
What matters most is a clear relationship between your profile and one of the available projects.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
integration into an interdisciplinary environment combining research, publishing and cultural production;
participation in active projects with academic, cultural and international dimensions;
contact with researchers, authors, photographers, architects, designers, editors and institutions;
supervision and guidance throughout the internship;
the opportunity to develop work with tangible outcomes for your portfolio;
practical experience of editorial and research processes;
the possibility of contributing to conferences, publications, podcasts, exhibitions or other initiatives, depending on the project;
access to a working space within the AAI / FAUP context, whenever required and available;
an internship certificate or formal statement of participation, according to the applicable framework.
CONDITIONS
The internships offered within this framework are currently unpaid curricular internships.
As part of the future institutional development of these projects, we intend to discuss with the different organisations involved — including Faculties, research centres, the Rectorate and U.Porto Press — the possibility of creating more structured ways of integrating final-year students into these programmes and, whenever appropriate funding mechanisms become available, of considering forms of financial support for their participation.
This should, however, be understood as a future possibility rather than a condition or guarantee attached to the internships currently being offered.
APPLICATIONS
If you would like to join our team, please send:
your CV;
your portfolio, where applicable;
a short introduction indicating:
your course and year of study;
the type and duration of internship required;
your availability;
which of the four projects particularly interests you;
which areas you would most like to develop during the internship.
Contact:
info.aai@arq.up.pt
AAI — Architecture, Art and Image
CENP / Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto
in collaboration with
Cityscopio – Cultural Association
scopio Editions