Sandra Mateus

Sandra Mateus is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon, School of Sociology and Public Policy (ESPP), where she also serves as Deputy Director. She is an Integrated Researcher at CIES-Iscte – Center for Research and Studies in Sociology, affiliated with the Migrations, Mobility and Ethnicity research group. She leads the Master's in Education and Society and coordinates the first year of the Sociology undergraduate program.

• PhD in Sociology, ISCTE-IUL, 2014
• Postgraduate Degree in Education and Society, ISCTE-IUL, 2003
• Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, ISCTE-IUL, 2000

Her research focuses on the sociology of education, social and educational inequalities, migration, ethnicity, and youth, with a strong emphasis on the experiences of children of immigrants and young people of mixed origin in transnational family contexts. She explores how identities and belonging are constructed across borders and within educational systems.

Her recent scholarly output centers on educational trajectories, school integration, and the social inclusion of vulnerable youth. Publications highlight themes such as the advantage of mixed-origin students, school dropout narratives in Lisbon, refugee integration challenges, and equity in higher education for Afrodescendant and PALOP youth. Her work employs qualitative and sociological methods to understand systemic inequalities.

Sandra Mateus is currently coordinating two major European research initiatives in Portugal: the H:ouse (AMIF) project on housing integration for refugees (2024–2026) and the Space4Us project on social inclusion for vulnerable adolescents. She has also contributed to national policy through roles in the Escolhas Program and advisory groups on immigrant integration.

• H:ouse (AMIF) – Housing integration for refugees
• Space4Us – Social inclusion of vulnerable youth
• 'Diversity within' – Identities of mixed-origin youth
• Social integration of young migrants in Sintra
• Educational pathways for PALOP youth

She has taught a wide range of courses including 'Educational Society,' 'Sociology of Education,' 'Immigrant Descendants and Education,' and 'Multicultural Mediation in Educational Contexts' at Iscte, as well as previously at the Lisbon School of Education and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon. She has also delivered training for teachers, social workers, and community leaders.

Her research is conducted within CIES-Iscte, a leading sociology research center, where she plays an active role in the Migrations, Mobility and Ethnicity group and serves on the CIES Scientific Committee.