CESEM is a research unit located in Lisbon at NOVA FCSH with associated teams at the University of Évora, and the Polytechnic Institutes in Lisbon and Porto.

CESEM is committed to the study of music and its relationship with other arts and social and cultural fields, employing the most recent methodologies in the social sciences and humanities.

CESEM has gained international recognition for its exceptional publications and is classified as Excellent by the FCT.

The unit includes five research groups, six thematic lines, and three labs.

CESEM is actively involved in several ongoing research projects funded by national and international programs such as the FCT Calls for IC&DT Projects, the CEEC, Marie Curie Actions, and Erasmus+.

CESEM is part of IN2PAST, the Associate Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory.