Ricardo Queirós
Teaching
ESMAD/ESS
at P.PORTO
ISTEC PORTO
Researching
CRACS at INESC TEC
Writing
FCA
Other positions
Distance Learning Coordinator at PIC
Hobbies
-
Running -
Writing -
Travel
Who am I?
I'm Ricardo Queirós, a Computer Science PhD and Adjunct Professor, with a passion for making coding education both engaging and effective. I’ve spent years researching how to make learning programming languages less of a headache — ideally even fun — by using gamification and innovative e-learning systems.
I even created a friendly playground (AGNI) to help both teachers and students navigate the world of code without losing their sanity. Plus, I organize the world’s first conference dedicated solely to teaching programming (ICPEC). With over 200 books and scientific publications under my belt, I’m serious about this mission!
When I’m not busy with work, you can find me running along the banks of the Douro River in the vibrant and beautiful city of Porto. And when I need a change of scenery, I’m off exploring new travel destinations — always up for the next adventure and with a smile on my face!
What am I researching?
My research interests have varied over time, but they've always had one thing in common: finding new ways to improve the teaching and learning of computer programming.
Ever since I started teaching (at ISTEC in 2003), I've understood that mastering programming is not just hard to teach—it's hard to learn too. From that moment on, I've been on the quest for the magical formula that will make everyone capable of learning how to think, fostering logical and structured reasoning, and thus giving them the foundation needed to learn how to "speak" code fluently.
Research Interests
- Computer science education
- E-learning systems interoperability
- Gamification
Papers
Scientific production is something that's expected of university professors, but what truly drives me to write papers is the desire to keep learning and "do science".
Plus, let’s be honest — there’s nothing like the thrill of chasing citations!
My publication data has been indexed across multiple bibliometric systems, such as:
The following list shows my publications from 2024 onward. For earlier publications, please refer to the previous mentioned bibliometric systems.
| 2024 Publication List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Title | Conference/Journal | Index |
| 1 | Saúde Digital - Desenvolvimento de Soluções com o Node-RED | FCA -Editora de Informática | - |
| 2 | Leveraging Large Language Models to Support Authoring Gamified Programming Exercises | Applied Sciences Journal (MDPI) | MDPI SCOPUS DBLP |
| 3 | GAMAI, an AI-Powered Programming Exercise Gamifier Tool | Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED 2024) | Springer SCOPUS DBLP |
| 4 | Client-Side Gamification Engine for Enhanced Programming Learning | 5th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2024) | OASics SCOPUS DBLP |
| 5 | Exercisify: an AI-powered Statement Evaluator | 5th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2024) | OASics SCOPUS DBLP |
| 6 | Authoring Programming Exercises for Automated Assessment Assisted by Generative AI | 5th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2024) | OASics SCOPUS DBLP |
| 7 | Work in Progress: Leveraging Virtual Escape Rooms for Innovative Computer Programming Learning Environments | IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE 2024) | IEEE SCOPUS |
| 8 | Empowering Engineering Students' Math Literacy with Digital Escape Rooms | IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE 2024) | IEEE SCOPUS |
| 9 | Reconfiguring Teacher Professionality in Higher Education in Portugal: A Case Study on Pedagogical Innovation and Hybrid Learning | IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE 2024) | IEEE SCOPUS |
| 10 | Exploring HEIs Students' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence on their Learning Process | 5th International Conference in Electronic Engineering, Information Technology & Education (EEITE 2024) | IEEE |
| 11 | HEIs teachers' and students' current experience of AI introduction in teaching and learning | 5th International Conference in Electronic Engineering, Information Technology & Education (EEITE 2024) | IEEE |
| 12 | Navigating the Sghifting Landscape of Teacher Professionality in Portuguese Higher Education: A Case Study | EduLearn 2024 | IEEE |
| 13 | FGPE - An Evolving Framework for Gamified Programming Learning | International Conference on Advanced Research in Technologies, Information, Innovation and Sustainability (ARTIIS 2024) | Springer SCOPUS DBLP |
| 14 | Enhancing Gamified LMS with the Integration of Games Experiences | International Conference on Advanced Research in Technologies, Information, Innovation and Sustainability (ARTIIS 2024) | Springer SCOPUS DBLP |
Projects
My research blends the world of computer science education with gamification, proving that learning can be both effective and enjoyable.
From cracking codes to crafting engaging e-learning experiences, I'm on a mission to level up education — one project at a time.
Below, you'll find a list of all international projects that I was (or I am) involved:
| International projects | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Name | Funding | Status |
| 2024-2026 | Deep tech | FCT | TO DO |
| 2024-2026 | INOV-NORTE (Digital Hub) | EU-PRR | Doing |
| 2023-2025 | FGPE++ | Erasmus+ | Doing |
| 2022-2024 | RED | DGE | Doing |
| 2022-2024 | MATH-DIGGER | Erasmus+ | Done |
| 2021-2023 | Juez LTI | Erasmus+ | Done |
| 2021-2023 | FGPE+ | Erasmus+ | Done |
| 2021-2023 | ATHENA | EU | Done |
| 2020-2022 | MrUD | Erasmus+ | Done |
| 2019-2021 | FGPE | Erasmus+ | Done |
| 2013-2014 | Ensemble | IPP-PIPED | Done |
| 2012-2014 | EduJudge | EU-LLP | Done |
| 2005-2007 | Gegi | ADI | Done |
What am I writing?
When I'm not exploring the world of computer science education and gamification, I’m busy weaving words into books. Writing is one of my greatest passions, whether I'm authoring, editing, or both!
Next, you’ll find a the current status regarding my published works:
- Books: 12
- Edited Books: 12
- Proceedings Books: 5
- Thesis: 1
The following list reflects all the books I have written and edited, both individually and in collaboration with colleagues.
Saúde Digital: Desenvolvimento de Soluções com o Node-RED
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2024
Link: official site
Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Education: Enhancing Teaching Practices for Future Learning
Authors: Ricardo Queirós, Mário Cruz and Daniela Mascarenhas
Publisher: IGI GLOBAL
Year: 2024
Link: official site
4th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2023)
Authors: Ricardo Queirós and Mário Pinto
Publisher: OASIcs
Year: 2023
Link: official site
Fostering Pedagogy Through Micro and Adaptive Learning in Higher Education: Trends, Tools, and Applications
Authors: Ricardo Queirós, Mário Cruz, Carla Pinto and Daniela Mascarenhas
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2023
Link: official site
Exploring the Convergence of Computer and Medical Science Through Cloud Healthcare
Authors: Ricardo Queirós, Bruno Cunha and Xavier Fonseca
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2023
Link: official site
Gamificação Aplicada às Organizações e ao Ensino
Authors: Ricardo Queirós e Mário Pinto
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2022
Link: official site
Emerging Advancements for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Healthcare
Authors: Luis Coelho, Ricardo Queirós and Sara Reis
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2022
Link: official site
Digital Therapies in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health
Authors: António Marques and Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2022
Link: official site
Next-Generation Applications and Implementations of Gamification Systems
Authors: Filipe Portela and Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2022
Link: official site
10th Symposium on Languages, Applications and Technologies (SLATE 2021)
Authors: Ricardo Queirós, Mário Pinto, Alberto Simões, Filipe Portela and Maria João Pereira
Publisher: OASIcs
Year: 2021
Link: official site
Second International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2021)
Authors: Pedro Rangel Henriques, Filipe Portela, Ricardo Queirós and Alberto Simões
Publisher: OASIcs
Year: 2021
Link: official site
Handbook of Research on Solving Modern Healthcare Challenges With Gamification
Authors: Ricardo Queirós and António Marques
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2021
Link: official site
9th Symposium on Languages, Applications and Technologies (SLATE 2020)
Authors: Alberto Simões, Pedro Rangel Henriques and Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: OASics
Year: 2020
Link: official site
Desenvolvimento Avançado para a Web
Authors: Ricardo Queirós and Filipe Portela
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2020
Link: official site
First International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2020)
Authors: Ricardo Queirós, Filipe Portela, Mário Pinto and Alberto Simões
Publisher: OASics
Year: 2020
Link: official site
Code Generation, Analysis Tools, and Testing for Quality
Authors: Ricardo Queirós, Alberto Simões and Mário Pinto
Publisher: IGI GLOBAL
Year: 2019
Link: official site
Introdução ao Desenvolvimento Moderno para a Web
Authors: Filipe Portela and Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2018
Link: official site
Android Profissional - Desenvolvimento Moderno de Aplicações
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2018
Link: official site
Emerging Trends, Techniques, and Tools for Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Management
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2018
Link: official site
Criação Rápida de Sites Responsivos com o Bootstrap
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2017
Link: official site
Gamification-Based E-Learning Strategies for Computer Programming Education
Authors: Ricardo Queirós and Mário Pinto
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2017
Link: official site
Android - Desenvolvimento de Aplicações com Android Studio
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2016
Link: official site
Android - Bases de Dados e Geolocalização
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2016
Link: official site
Innovative Teaching Strategies and New Learning Paradigms in Computer Programming
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2015
Link: official site
Introdução ao Desenvolvimento de Jogos em Android
Authors: Ricardo Queirós and Alberto Simões
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2015
Link: official site
Desenvolvimento de Aplicações Profissionais em Android
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2014
Link: official site
Android - Introdução ao Desenvolvimento de Aplicações
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2013
Link: official site
Innovations in XML Applications and Metadata Management: Advancing Technologies
Authors: José Carlos Ramalho, Alberto Simões and Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: IGI-GLOBAL
Year: 2013
Link: official site
Programação para Dispositivos Móveis em Windows Mobile 6
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: FCA
Year: 2008
Link: official site
Edição estrutural de documentos XML sobre a Web
Authors: Ricardo Queirós
Publisher: lulu
Year: 2004
Link: official site
Where am I exploring next?
When I’m not deep into research or writing, you’ll likely find me on the move, exploring new places. Traveling is another passion of mine, fueling my curiosity and providing endless inspiration for my work.
I already visited 33 countries from Europe (25), Africa (2), Asia (2) and America (4).
Here are some photos from my travels, organized by year. For now, I only have 2024 because, well, I’m swamped with work! Who knew being busy could be so time-consuming?
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2025
Naples - Italy
Seville - Spain
Seville (Marathon) - Spain
2024
Santiago de Chile - Chile
Valparaíso - Chile
Viña Del Mar - Chile
Punta Umbria - Spain
Kaunas - Lithuania
Vilnius - Lithuania
Linz - Austria
Krahów - Poland
Tikal - Guatemala
Antígua - Guatemala
Seville - Spain
2023
Szczecin - Poland
Capadocia - Turkey
Goreme - Turkey
Ankara - Turkey
Where am I running?
I started running back in 2012, and now I casually knock out 10ks, half-marathons, and marathons. Oh, and I’ve already conquered 18 marathons — because, apparently, I don’t know when to stop!
Here’s a list of my times:
| Marathon (19) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Porto | - | - | - | - | 3:39:01 | 3:18:06 | 3:07:36 | 3:21:34 | 3:19:46 | 4:07:11 | 3:47:50 | 3:46:13 | 3:47:06 | |
| Aveiro | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3:31:47 | - | 3:20:00 | 3:37:02 | 3:44:24 | 3:28:24 | |
| Madrid | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3:48:40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Seville | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3:23:33 | 3:39:58 |
| Gerês | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4:11:16 | 4:11:29 | |
| Half-Marathon (27) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Porto | 1:56:42 | 1:51:00 | - | 1:43:59 | 1:34:45 | 1:32:21 | 1:29:22 | 1:32:00 | - | 1:36:42 | 1:37:05 | 1:34:38 | ||
| D'Ouro Run (Gondomar) | - | - | - | - | 1:46:00 | 1:36:28 | 1:33:32 | - | - | - | 1:35:33 | 1:40:23 | ||
| Viana | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:31:00 | - | - | - | 1:31:33 | 1:35:43 | |
| Douro Verde | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:31:22 | - | 1:46:17 | ||
| Seville | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:32:02 | - | ||
| Famalicão | - | - | - | - | 1:34:16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Esposende | - | - | - | - | - | 1:36:17 | - | - | - | 1:33:26 | - | - | ||
| Douro Vinhateiro | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:35:24 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Barcelos | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:30:29 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Matosinhos | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:32:33 | - | - | ||
| 10k (28) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Corrida do Pai | - | 51:00 | 50:43 | 52:13 | 49:22 | 44:47 | 40:32 | 40:27 | - | - | 40:54 | 40:52 | 42:42 | 42:56 |
| Leixões | - | - | - | - | - | 43:07 | 40:50 | 40:47 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| S. Silvestre (Porto) | 53:19 | - | 52:53 | - | 45:57 | 1:00:00 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1:06:35 | |
| Mar | - | - | 46:03 | - | - | 46:46 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Marginal VdC | - | - | 47:14 | - | - | - | - | - | 39:26 | - | - | - | - | |
| Urban Run VdC | - | - | - | - | - | - | 48:53 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| S. Pedro | - | - | 44:33 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fernanda Ribeiro | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 42:18 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Nau VdC | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 40:30 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Shamir (Porto) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 44:04 | |