Avelino de Freitas de Meneses holds a PhD in Modern and Contemporary History from the University of the Azores, where is a Full Professor. He is the President of the Scientific Commission of the Portuguese Centre for Global History - CHAM - Universidade Nova de Lisboa (New University of Lisbon) and University of the Azores.
He served as Dean of the University of the Azores from 2003 to 2011. During his academic path, he performed other duties as President of the Scientific Council, Head of the Department of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences of the University of the Azores, and as Head of the Gaspar Frutuoso Studies Centre at the same University.
He is the author of about one hundred works, including books as well as chapters and articles on the subject of Portuguese, Azorean and Atlantic History that have been published in several journals.
He was distinguished with the Grand Cross of the Order of Public Instruction and the Autonomic Commendation of Recognition.
He was appointed Regional Secretary for Education and Culture of the XI Regional Government of the Azores on July 8, 2014.