João “Cão” Duarte works in social participation in the sciences, arts and politics as a mediator- researcher with the Canto do Curió cultural association. He has a BSc in Biochemistry, a MSc in History and Philosophy of Science and is finishing his PhD in Philosophy. His PhD research deals with social participation in scientific research, taking the territory of Trafaria, in Almada, Portugal as a case study. The popular neighborhoods of Trafaria – 2.º Torrão, Madame Faber, 1.º Torrão and Cova do Vapor – built on the coastline of the Tagus’ Estuary since the early XX century, face several risks and challenges that are inasmuch scientific, as they are political in their nature.