Permanent Professor of PPGI
Research Line: Business Support Systems
Started at PPGI: 07/2017
Work regime: 40h Full Time
CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8613736894676086
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4749-2551
Research: Complex Systems Engineering
E-mail: rps@uniriotec.br
Academic Trajectory: Professor Rodrigo Pereira dos Santos began his academic career with a degree in Computer Science, followed by a master’s and doctorate in Computer Systems Engineering from PESC/UFRJ. From the beginning, his research focused on the economic and social aspects of software reuse, which naturally led him to a transition to the field of Information Systems. This change allowed him to broaden his approach, exploring the modeling of software ecosystems and the relationship between technology, processes, and people.
With over 15 years of research experience, he has established himself as an expert in the field, contributing with innovative methodologies and solutions applicable to industry. His academic trajectory reflects this evolution, moving from software engineering to information systems, with the aim of better integrating human, technological, and organizational aspects into a single analytical model.
In addition, he actively participates in various academic communities, working in areas such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), software engineering, information systems, and computer science education, reinforcing his interdisciplinary approach. At PPGI-UNIRIO, he teaches the Scientific Methodology course, promoting a multi-method approach to research and encouraging students to combine different techniques and perspectives in knowledge construction.
His career has enabled him to develop a systemic and interdisciplinary vision, connecting different domains of computing to real-world applications in both the market and academia. His work advances research in Information Systems and Software Engineering, strengthening the impact of technological solutions on society.
Scientific Contribution: Professor Rodrigo Pereira dos Santos has a robust scientific output with a significant impact on the national and international academic community. His research is published in high-impact international journals such as Empirical Software Engineering, Journal of Systems and Software, and Information and Software Technology, consolidating his relevance in the areas of Information Systems and Software Engineering.
In addition to academic production, his work also extends to technological innovation, with two software registrations at INPI (Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property), developed in partnership with the Federal University of Pará and the Fluminense Federal Institute. This initiative reinforces the applicability of his research, connecting academic knowledge with practical solutions for industry.
Internationally, his contribution is recognized on several fronts. He was a speaker at one of the most prestigious events in the field, the Foundations of Software Engineering (FSE) conference, and coordinated the Steering Committee of the main workshop on software ecosystems, linked to the ICSE (International Conference on Software Engineering).
His global presence also includes an invitation to deliver a lecture at the Free University of Amsterdam, further strengthening his integration into the international academic community. In addition, his work is recognized with awards at national and international conferences, including best paper, thesis, and dissertation awards, highlighting the quality and impact of his contributions to research in Information Systems and Software Engineering.
Contribution to the PPGI: The professor’s work at PPGI-UNIRIO has been characterized by strategies to strengthen the program and expand its academic visibility, promoting an interdisciplinary and applied approach. His work aligns with the research line in Business Support Systems, allowing his research to be directed towards real-world organizational contexts, contributing to practical solutions that impact industry and public administration.
He has also actively encouraged interdisciplinarity, seeking collaborations with fields such as psychology and administration, thereby expanding the possibilities for analysis in Information Systems studies. His participation in scientific committees and academic representations reinforces the role of the PPGI-UNIRIO in the scientific community, enhancing its reputation and integration with other research institutions.
Another pillar of his work is a focus on methodological rigor in research, ensuring that students develop well-founded, applicable studies with a solid theoretical and experimental basis. Furthermore, he advocates strengthening institutional collaborations at UNIRIO, promoting closer interactions with other departments, and expanding the program’s multidisciplinarity, thereby consolidating the PPGI-UNIRIO as a space for innovation and academic impact.
Researcher Training: Mentoring new researchers is one of the pillars of Professor Santos’ work, reflecting his commitment to his students’ academic training and professional integration. During the pandemic, he coordinated a group of 23 students, including master’s, doctoral, and undergraduate students, demonstrating his management skills and close oversight of the research underway.
The impact of his mentorship is evident in the career paths of his former students, who now work at universities and companies in Brazil and abroad, underscoring the quality of the training offered by PPGI-UNIRIO. His doctoral students, many of whom are scholarship recipients, develop research that generates a direct impact in both academia and industry, strengthening the relationship between research and practical application.
Furthermore, he actively promotes collaboration with international researchers, providing students with access to global references in the field and expanding their learning opportunities and integration into high-level research networks. This encouragement of academic continuity is evident in the trajectories of his advisees, who pursue doctoral and postdoctoral studies at renowned institutions, consolidating their advanced training.
With an approach focused on applied research and market impact, Professor Rodrigo Pereira dos Santos has been fundamental to the employability and professional development of his advisees, preparing them for high-level academic and industrial careers.
Visibility and Impact in the Scientific Community: Professor Santos has adopted several strategies to increase the visibility of his research and the PPGI-UNIRIO program, consolidating his role in the national and international scientific community. His academic output includes frequent publications in high-impact conferences and journals, ensuring that his research reaches a broad and specialized audience.
Furthermore, his participation in international scientific committees strengthens his presence at prestigious events such as ICSE (International Conference on Software Engineering), FSE (Foundations of Software Engineering), and ISD (Information Systems Development). This involvement strengthens his connections with renowned researchers and keeps the PPGI-UNIRIO aligned with the latest discussions in the field.
To further expand the reach of his research, he uses academic social networks, such as LinkedIn and RedeX, to promote the dissemination of knowledge to diverse audiences, both inside and outside academia. His work also extends to training new researchers and professionals in the field through mini-courses and workshops, encouraging continuous training and the development of the scientific community.
Another central aspect of his strategy is his participation in steering committees of national and international events, contributing to the organization and definition of relevant scientific agendas. With an H-index of 23 on Google Scholar, Prof. Santos demonstrates his relevance and influence in Software Engineering and Information Systems, establishing himself as one of the leading researchers in the field.
Plans for 2025-2028:
To further strengthen his work and that of the PPGI-UNIRIO, the professor proposes the following initiatives:
- Expansion of Research in Strategic Areas
- Expand investigations into the governance of software ecosystems.
- Explore new approaches to modeling software solutions.
- Analyze the social impact of software reuse in complex systems.
- Strengthening Academic Production
- Publish continuously in high-impact international journals.
- Encourage collaborations with foreign universities.
- Seek funding for strategic projects in the area of software engineering.
- Improvement in Scientific Dissemination
- Expand the use of academic social networks to disseminate research.
- Encourage student participation in international conferences and events.
- Create initiatives to bring research closer to the external public and the productive sector.
- Improvement of Institutional Collaboration
- Expand partnerships with national and international institutions.
- To foster greater integration with other areas of UNIRIO, by promoting interdisciplinary research.
- To encourage projects that bring academia closer to industry and the public sector.




