On 10 and 11 January, 2019, DeCode/M gathered the project’s researchers and consultants for its official kick-off meeting and its first strategic communications meeting.

On the first day, the event brought together the entire research team (Sofia José Santos; Tatiana Moura; Alexandre de Sousa Carvalho; Bia Carneiro; Carlota Houart; Gary Barker; Inês Amaral; Rita Santos; Teresa Almeida Cravo and Sílvia Roque), its national consultants (Carla Cerqueira and Rosa Cabecinhas) and international consultants  (Alexa Hassink, Cristina Sala, Jane Kato-Wallace, Victor Marí, Oscar Hemer, Tina Askanius, Thomas Tufte), with the purpose of introducing the project, its objectives, methodology and thematic areas, and to gather contributions from the consultants.

During the morning, the research team summarised the literature review on the subjects of media and masculinities (with a particular focus on the portuguese context); they talked about the Project’s presuppositions and research questions; about its intersectional approach, theoretical and conceptual framework and its research and methodological design. They then presented the Core Study and each thematic area (Gender-based Violence; Militarised Masculinities; Labour Issues and Professional Aspirations; Fatherhood, Household Roles and Caregiving; Environment and Climate Change; and Me Too), and ended with a summary of the foreseen outputs and the outreach component of the project. During the afternoon, the consultants entered into a dialogue with the project through their work areas and research interests. 

On the second day, the meeting centred on the communication strategy, with Alexa Hassink –  Promundo-US’ Director of Communications and Advocacy Officer – having played a central role. Given the strong action component of DeCode/M and its involvement with non-academic communities, it was considered important to dedicate this moment to a more detailed definition of the communication strategy.