Catarina Ribeiro

Catarina Ribeiro is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the Portuguese Catholic University of Porto. She serves as a Senior Researcher at the Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH) and coordinates the International Project FACT FOR MINORS (Fostering Alternative Care for Troubled Minors), funded by the European Commission.

Dr. Ribeiro earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Porto, where she also completed her undergraduate and master's degrees. Her doctoral research examined psychology and judicial decision-making in cases involving abused children. She is a Specialist in Clinical and Health Psychology registered with the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses and holds an advanced specialization in Psychology of Justice from the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Porto, with which she has collaborated since 2001.

Her research focuses on forensic psychology, particularly psychological evaluation in forensic contexts, judicial decision processes, forensic interviewing of children, and children's development in contexts of risk and adversity. Dr. Ribeiro is a member of the International Evidence-Based Investigative Interviewing Children Group coordinated by Professor Michael Lamb of the University of Cambridge, placing her at the forefront of evidence-based practices in child forensic interviewing.

She teaches psychological assessment in forensic contexts, psychology and justice, and intervention with victims at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, and also teaches forensic psychology at the Law School of the Portuguese Catholic University. Her publications address critical intersections between psychology and legal systems, with particular emphasis on child protection issues and evidence-based practices.

Dr. Ribeiro's scholarly work demonstrates consistent contribution to understanding psychological processes in legal contexts, particularly those involving children and vulnerable populations. Her research has practical implications for improving how legal systems handle cases involving child abuse and family law matters, ensuring psychological evidence informs judicial decisions and child protection interventions.