Antonieta Reis Leite

Antonieta Reis Leite (Angra do Heroísmo, 1975) is the co-coordinator of the research group CCARQ | Cities, Cultures, and Architecture at the Centre for Social Sciences, University of Coimbra, where she holds an assistant position and is a fellow of CEEC FCT (Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research, and Technology). She is also an Invited Professor at the Department of Architecture (DARQ), University of Coimbra. Trained as an architect, she obtained her degree from the University of Coimbra (Portugal) in 2000. She also trained in art history and obtained a DEA (Diplôme d'Études Approfondies) from Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Seville, Spain). She holds a PhD from the University of Coimbra (2012) for research on the settlement process and built environment history of the Azores Islands. She has held funded postdoctoral positions at the Centre for Social Sciences of the University of Coimbra, at CHAM FCSH (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University NOVA of Lisbon), and at the University of the Azores. Her work focuses on the building process of the Portuguese Atlantic World, particularly on the colonization of the Early Modern Atlantic islands and shores. She explores how the inter-connectivity between peripheral and central areas has been—and continues to be—crucial to understanding the Atlantic World. Her research emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, integrating architectural and urban history, memory, and heritage studies. She uses local and colonial historical sources to inform her work and aims to contribute to informed heritage management in postcolonial times. She is the author of one book, scientific papers, and book chapters. She also participates in funded research projects within her area of expertise.