Maria Isabel Santos

Maria Isabel Santos is a researcher at the Center for Religious History Studies (CEHR) within the Catholic University of Portugal. She holds a PhD in History (2011) and has contributed extensively to research on religious orders, social work, and cultural-historical dynamics, particularly focusing on the Lóios congregation and Marie-Thérèse Lévêque's social work legacy.

• PhD in History (2011), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, New University of Lisbon

Her research spans religious history, decolonization studies, social work education, and territorial development. Recent projects include Integral Human Development, co-authored with M. A. d'Araújo, and Encyclopedia of Religious History in Portugal.

• Trends in scholarly output: Focused on 20th-century social work (81% overlap with Christian institutions), territorial human development (77% with religious orders), and decolonization (66% with gender studies)

She participates in international collaborations and has presented at conferences on topics like Longevity and Spirituality and Religion and Society. Her work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and reduced inequalities.