UIDEF, based at the Instituto de Educação, is the organizational structure for research in education of the largest Portuguese university, Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa). It is the reference institution for educational research in Lisbon and includes a significant number of members from other higher-education schools, from other faculties of ULisboa and from elsewhere.

The overriding purpose of the research carried out at UIDEF is to yield a multidimensional understanding of educational organizations, processes and actors, diagnosing problems and needs, and to provide relevant inputs for a knowledge-based transformation of education systems and practices.

This general purpose will be achieved through the development of research focused on two core lines of inquiry: (1) Education XXI, on the diversification, modernization and improvement of education, with a focus on issues related to the quality of learning and inclusion; and (2) Change Forces in Education, on the processes of change in education, with a focus on the professional development of educators and on the participation and accountability in the governance of education.

Research within UIDEF is currently organized in three Research Groups in close relationship to the PhD programs offered at Instituto de Educação as well as to ongoing research projects, nationally and internationally funded. The three Research Groups are: (i) Education and Training Policies, (ii) Curriculum, Teacher Education and Technology, and (iii) Didactics.

Currently there are research projects under way which are funded by national and international agencies such as the European Commission and the European Union (including H2020, Erasmus +, Cost), the Foundation for Science and Technology. There are also several partnerships, namely with Brazilian entities, and applied research contracts with various official organisms, associations and private entities.