Cristina Rocha

Cristina Rocha is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, and a senior researcher at CIIE (Centre for Research and Intervention in Education). Her work bridges sociology and education, with a focus on childhood, family, educational equity, and policy. She has led major national and international research projects and contributes actively to academic and public debates on education.

• PhD in Education Sciences, University of Porto (1999)
• Master in Sociology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (1991)
• Degree in Sociology, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon (1984)
• Degree in Social Service, Institute of Social Service of Porto (1979)

Her research centers on the sociology of childhood and family, early school leaving, social policies for children and youth, gender and education, and ethical dimensions in engineering education. She explores how institutional, familial, and policy contexts shape children's educational experiences and life trajectories. Her work often employs qualitative and mixed methods, emphasizing children's voices and participatory approaches.

Her recent publications analyze the historical and contemporary role of daycare in Portugal, ethical education in engineering curricula, media literacy for vulnerable youth, and comparative policies on early school leaving across Europe. These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining sociology, education policy, gender studies, and ethics, with an increasing focus on inclusion, digital citizenship, and teacher training.

• Principal Investigator, Crèches in Portugal: Policies, Conceptions and Practices (2021–2023)
• Principal Investigator, MINDtheGaps - Media Literacy Towards Youth Social Inclusion (2021–2022)
• Principal Investigator, UP2B - Boosting Up School Education towards European Citizenship (2019–2022)
• Researcher, RESL.eu - Reducing Early School Leaving in the EU (2013–2018)

She has received research funding from the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), and the Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES). Her work has informed policy discussions on early childhood education and youth inclusion in Portugal and the EU. She collaborates with universities, NGOs, and government agencies across Europe, contributing to strategic partnerships in school education and youth development.

Cristina Rocha is affiliated with research networks such as CoPIn (Policies and Voices: Diversity, Gender and Intersectionality) and PIV. She supervises research students and contributes to academic training in education sciences. Her lab, LabDERE, supports digital experimentation and research in education. Future work continues to focus on ethical education, participatory methodologies, and strengthening the role of early education in social equity.