José Soares Neves has been director of the Portuguese Observatory on Cultural Activities since its creation in December 2018.

He holds a PhD in Sociology of Communication, Culture and Education (Iscte, Lisbon).

He is an integrated researcher and deputy director of the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte), and a professor in the Department of Sociology/School of Sociology and Public Policies of Iscte.

He was a permanent researcher and project coordinator at the Observatory of Cultural Activities during its existence (1996-2013) and Chairman of the Working Group on Culture Statistics of the Statistical Council (2006 to 2010).