Manuel holds a PhD in Sociology from the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and is an Associate Researcher in Urban and Cultural Sociology at CIES-Iscte in Lisbon. He specializes in the socio-spatial transformations of urban spaces through culture-led events, particularly at night. His research critically explores how the eventification and touristification of cities reshape emotional and spatial relationships, generating socio-affective narratives that challenge conventional urban governance and public policies. 
 
Manuel focuses on the intersection of culture and tourism, with a particular emphasis on proximity tourism, examining how the commodification of the arts drives nighttime economies and spatial experiences. 
 
Manuel has published extensively in tourism studies, cultural sociology, experiential economies, and Night Studies. He founded and coordinated the International Night Studies Network (INSN) and is the fieldwork coordinator at LXNIGHTS Research Group.