Ana Carina Ruxa

Ana Carina Ruxa is an Associate Researcher at CIES-Iscte (Center for Research and Studies in Sociology) within the School of Sociology and Public Policy at ISCTE-University Institute of Lisbon. She is affiliated with the "Gender, Life Course and Health" research group. Her academic career is deeply intertwined with practical experience in child protection systems, particularly through her extensive work with Child and Youth Protection Commissions (CPCJ) in Portugal.

Dr. Ruxa completed her PhD in Social Work from ISCTE-University Institute of Lisbon (2017-2023), achieving "approved with distinction" in her thesis defense. Her doctoral research focused on "Sistema de Proteção à Criança e Indicadores da Qualidade nas CPCJ" (Child Protection System and Quality Indicators in CPCJ). She also holds a Master's in Social Work (2011-2013) from the Catholic University of Portugal (with honorable mention), a Master's in Family and Systems Therapy (2010-2011) from the University of Seville, and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (2001-2006) from the Catholic University of Portugal.

Her research interests center on child protection systems, with particular focus on quality indicators in CPCJ, risk assessment, and the promotion of children's rights. Her work bridges academic research with practical application in social services, examining how quality management can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. Dr. Ruxa has developed methodological approaches for assessing and improving child protection practices, with emphasis on user perspectives and family-centered interventions. Her publications consistently address the balance between risk management and quality service provision in child protection contexts.

Dr. Ruxa's scholarly output reveals a sustained focus on quality assessment within Portugal's child protection framework. Her recent work examines the implementation of quality indicators, the impact of the pandemic on child protection services, and the development of assessment tools that function as "GPS" for intervention planning. Her research demonstrates a methodological sophistication in connecting theoretical frameworks with practical implementation challenges in child welfare systems.

• Prémio de Melhor Poster do Congresso (2014) for "Famílias com Crianças e Jovens em Perigo - Uma Abordagem Apreciativa"

Professionally, Dr. Ruxa has over 14 years of frontline experience in child protection services. She worked in CPCJ Barreiro and Seixal before joining the Social Security Institute in 2010. At CPCJ Montijo, she served as Technical Advisor, Social Security Representative, Secretary of the Commission, and ultimately as President of the CPCJ (2017-2020). Since April 2020, she has balanced her research with continued professional engagement, returning to the Setúbal District Social Security Center in March 2023 and assuming leadership of the Alcochete District Social Security Council CPCJ in February 2024.