PROHUMA

PROHUMA project: Understanding Prosociality and Rehumanization in Postcolonial Relations

PROHUMA is a joint PhD research project by Iscte-IUL (Lisbon, Portugal) and KU Leuven (Belgium). We explore if and how everyday helping behaviors, as well as collective, solidarity-based actions can restore dignity, reduce prejudice, and build bridges between communities.

Why this matters

Postcolonial relations, for example between Portugal–Angola and Belgium–Congo still shape how people see and treat each other today. These legacies often lead to inequality, prejudice, and exclusion;

Communities affected by racism and social class divides are often spoken about.This project ensures that their voices, experiences, and perspectives are central;

By exploring how prosocial actions (acts of care, support, or solidarity) influence respect and recognition, we aim to identify practical ways to rehumanize relationships in schools, neighborhoods, and organizations;

The results will feed into policy and community recommendations, ensuring real impact beyond academia.

Artwork (left) 'coexistence’ by Congolese artist De Dieu Luwungu

Artwork (below) ‘Footnotes by Angolan artist Antonio Olé

Overview of the activities of the project

Phase 1: Integrating perspectives and the literature

Literature review;
Focus groups and expert interviews.

Phase 2: Larger scale testing

Correlational survey study.

Phase 3: Causal inferences

Experiments embedded in survey study.

Fase 4: Integration of phases

Integrating insights from the 3 previous phases, coming to a relational understanding of the link between prosociality and rehumanization;
Preparing the findings for policy and community recommendations.

Get involved!

At the moment, you can get involved as a participant in the Focus Groups or in the Expert Interviews!

Focus Groups

- Portuguese participants identifying as ethnically White;

- Angolan participants identifying as ethnically Black;

- All participants need to be adult (18 years or older), speak Portuguese sufficiently for a group discussion and have to live in/around Lisbon, Portugal.

- ~ September - November 2025

During the Focus Groups, several theatrical activities based on the Theatre of the Oppressed approach (Augusto Boal, 1974) will be conducted to facilitate the discussion. No previous experience is needed.

Expert Interviews

- Formal community leaders: People who hold an official role or position of authority within a community (e.g., school principals, NGO directors, elected representatives) in Congolese communities in Belgium.

- Informal community leaders: Respected individuals without an official title who influence others through trust, experience, or social networks (e.g., elders, activists, youth mentors, religious figures) in Congolese communities in Belgium.

- In French, English or Dutch;

- ~December 2025 to January 2026;

- Possibility for subsequent involvement in community outreach for larger scale correlational and experimental survey study.

Questions discussed in both activities

How do you conceptualize prosociality? And rehumanization?
What does your community need to feel ‘human’?
Do you see links between prosociality and rehumanization?

Get in Touch!

theresa.zagers@iscte-iul.pt