Maria Cunha Louro

Maria Cunha Louro is a university lecturer at Universidade Lusófona, specializing in forensic and legal psychology. She holds a PhD in Forensic Sciences with a focus on Forensic Psychology and has completed doctoral coursework in Law, reflecting her interdisciplinary expertise. She is a licensed psychologist with advanced specialization in Psychology of Justice and Clinical and Health Psychology, recognized by the Order of Portuguese Psychologists. She represents Portugal in the Ibero-American Association of Legal Psychology and serves as Vice-President of Psijus – Association for Legal Psychology Intervention.

• PhD in Forensic Sciences (Forensic Psychology)
• Doctorate in Law (coursework completed)
• Master’s in Criminal Psychology and Deviant Behavior
• Bachelor’s in Psychology
• Specialty in Clinical and Health Psychology
• Advanced Specialty in Psychology of Justice

Her research centers on domestic violence, gender-based violence, criminal justice responses, and the intersection of law and psychology. She explores psychological assessment in legal contexts, sentencing motivations, and the socio-cultural dimensions of relational violence. Her work bridges theory and empirical research, contributing to policy and intervention strategies in Portugal and Lusophone countries.

Recent publications show a strong trend in analyzing domestic violence in Portugal through a juridical-psychological lens, with comparative studies on international contexts such as Cape Verde and global phenomena like soccer-related violence. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating legal frameworks with psychological assessment and public policy implications.

She is actively involved in professional leadership and academic dissemination through book chapters and peer-reviewed journals. While no formal awards are listed, her roles in key associations highlight recognition in her field.

Maria Cunha Louro advises on legal psychology interventions and contributes to advancing forensic practice through her research and institutional roles. She is affiliated with professional networks that support research and policy development in legal psychology. Though specific labs or research teams are not mentioned, her publications suggest collaborative work in interdisciplinary and Ibero-American academic circles.