Raul Lopes holds a degree in Economics from ISEG-UTL, a Master's degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the Technical University of Lisbon, and a PhD in Economics from ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa. He is Associate Professor at ISCTE-IUL, Scientific Director of the Master in Economics and Public Policy and member of the Scientific Committee of the Department of Political Economy. Throughout his career he has been teaching, consulting and research in the following areas: Territory Economics, Innovation and Regional Competitiveness, Strategic Planning, Regional and Local Development Policies, Rural Development, Local Government and Territorial Governance.