D’C is strongly embedded in a culture of collaboration with external entities (e.g, in research projects, in the organization of scientific events, in publishing projects) both nationally and internationally.

Most projects are designed to be submitted in collaboration with other research units, and D’C collaborates regularly with several universities, both in Portugal and internationally.

Many research projects are designed to involve partners outside academic world, in different roles, and are clearly aimed at the involvement of end users and communities in the co-production of knowledge.

D’C members are affiliated to numerous international scientific networks (in multiple disciplinary fields – e.g, ESA, ISA, RSA, ERSA,), playing a relevant role in terms of organization and dynamization of some of them (e.g. RCSL, ENHR, GREMI, RESER,..). Individually, most researchers integrate the main international associations linked to their research fields, participating regularly in their scientific events.

Since 2018, D’C coordinates a COST network (COST Action CA18137) on the theme of European Middle Class Mass Housing.

Apart from strengthening links with the English, French, and Germanspeaking scientific worlds, D’C develops the cooperation with researchers of other linguistic areas, in particular of Portuguese speaking countries, aiming research fields in which Portugal has specific competitive advantages, mostly in some specific Thematic Lines (e.g, developing common research projects, fostering research networks - such as Todas as Artes, RAIU, PNUM -, or hosting visiting researchers,…)

At national level, D’C researchers are actively engaged in the activities and in the administration of several scientific networks and socio-professional structures (e.g, APS research groups, Ordem dos Arquitectos), and had recently a prominent role in the launching of the Political Economy national association (APEcP).