Elsa Justino

Elsa Justino is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Policy (ESPP) at Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon, and an Integrated Researcher at CIES-Iscte (Center for Research and Studies in Sociology). She holds a PhD in Social Work from the Catholic University of Portugal, with prior degrees in Social Work. Her roles include coordinating the 3rd year of the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and leading courses in Human Rights, Social Service with Adults/Elderly, and Professional Practice Seminars.

Her research focuses on Social Service methodologies, Social Responsibility in Higher Education, and Public Policy impacts. She actively participates in initiatives like the Citizenship Forum for Poverty Eradication in Vila Real (as Co-Coordinator) and the COST Action networks on Digital Human Rights and Sustainable Futures. She contributed to the European Master of Advanced Social Work in Health (EMASWHC) project, aiming to develop interdisciplinary training in healthcare social work.

Institutional roles include past positions as Administrator of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Deputy Director General at the Directorate General for Higher Education, and member of the Hospital Center of Trás-os-Montes Board.