Ferrão, João2020-11-092020-11-092020Ferrão, J. (2020). From policy-scientist to science-informed politician. Combining territorial imaginaries, external circumstances and domestic possibilities. In Albrechts, L. (Ed.), Planners in Politics: Do they Make a Difference? (Elgar Studies in Planning Theory, Policy and Practice), 55-74. Edward Elgar Publishing978-18391-001-09http://hdl.handle.net/10451/44814I held the position of Secretary of State for Spatial Planning and Cities in Portugal for five years (2005-2009). Until that time I had not been involved in any party-political activity, nor was I even an active member of any party. Why then did I join a government? The answer to this question involves two different factors, one of a generational and personal nature, the other related to the usual criteria applied to the selection of government teams in Portugal in the post-1974 democratic period.engbook part