Ana Maria da Costa Oliveira

Ana Maria da Costa Oliveira is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and a researcher at the Católica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing (CRC-W). She coordinates multiple postgraduate programs, including the Master in Social Work and several post-graduate programs in evaluation, artistic practices, and development cooperation. Her work is supported by external funding from organizations such as Porticus, and she leads impactful research on child protection, youth wellbeing, and social innovation.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (2015)

Her research focuses on social innovation, social intervention with families and youth, theories of practice in Social Work, and social and intercultural mediation. She emphasizes child-centered, protective approaches and contributes to program planning, management, and evaluation in social services. Her recent work explores service-learning in higher education, digital inclusion for older adults, and mental health interventions in schools.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in qualitative and mixed-methods research, particularly in service-learning, youth and child wellbeing, institutional care, and digital competencies. These works often employ participatory methods, including drawings and interviews, and are frequently co-authored within interdisciplinary teams. Keywords span social work, psychology, education, and public health, with subfields focusing on intervention design, psychosocial outcomes, and community engagement.

Scientific Awards:

• Laura Rubio Award for Service-Learning Projects (2023)

Ana Oliveira actively supervises students and leads externally funded research projects, such as the Porticus-financed 'SfG Hub' initiative and studies on child poverty, homelessness, and post-pandemic youth wellbeing. She has contributed to 29 research outputs and 7 projects, demonstrating sustained scholarly productivity. Her advisory role extends to program evaluation and strategic planning in social organizations.

She is a core member of the CRC-W research center, collaborating with a network of researchers across psychology, social work, and education. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, reduced inequalities, and good health and wellbeing.