Ana Alexandra Marta-Costa

Ana Alexandra Marta-Costa is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, Sociology and Management within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD). She holds a PhD in Agri-social Sciences and has habilitation, reflecting her expertise in rural and sustainable development. Her research focuses on sustainability assessment, management, and planning of farming systems, particularly in agribusiness and the wine industry. She has authored/co-authored over 150 scientific publications and led/co-led numerous national and European research projects, including high-profile initiatives like the RN21 resin sector project and the Vine & Wine Portugal initiative.

Her academic roles include serving as Coordinator of the Agribusiness and Sustainability PhD Program at UTAD, member of the General Council of UTAD, and Vice-Director of the Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD) until 2020. She is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Portuguese Agricultural Economy Association (APDEA) and the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

Marta-Costa’s research emphasizes sustainability determinants in agro-food systems, with a strong focus on the wine industry. Her recent work explores efficiency in viticulture practices, context-specific sustainability metrics, and the social dimensions of sustainable agribusiness. Her contributions have earned recognition, including a 2023 Special Mention from the OIV for her chapter on sustainability standards in viticulture.

She has secured significant funding through projects like the €26M RN21 initiative (2021–2025) and the €41M Vine & Wine Portugal project (2021–2025), demonstrating her leadership in bridging academic research with industry needs. Her work integrates quantitative and qualitative methods, addressing both policy and on-the-ground implementation challenges in sustainable development.