Diana Soares

Diana Soares is an Invited Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Portuguese Catholic University, where she serves in the Directorate for 'Quality of Teaching' and coordinates the Católica Learning Innovation Lab. She holds a PhD in Educational Sciences with specialization in Educational Psychology from the University of Minho (2015) and is affiliated with the Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH) and the Centre for Research on Higher Education Policies (CIPES).

Her educational background includes a doctorate focused on Educational Psychology from the University of Minho. She has developed an extensive academic career centered on educational research and innovation, with strong institutional connections to the Portuguese Catholic University where she teaches across multiple programs including the PhD in Education Science, Specialization in Academic Administration and Organization, and the Degree in Psychology.

Dr. Soares's research interests span pedagogical innovation, competence-based education, curriculum management, teacher professional development, and Higher Education policies. Her work emphasizes practical applications of educational theory to improve teaching quality and student outcomes. She has particular expertise in analyzing external school evaluation processes in Portugal and their relationship to educational innovation, exploring how schools navigate bureaucratic requirements while implementing meaningful pedagogical changes. Her research often examines the connections between school leadership, teacher practices, and educational outcomes.

Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on Portuguese educational contexts, with particular attention to school evaluation systems, pedagogical innovation within institutional constraints, and leadership dynamics. A significant portion of her work examines the tensions between external evaluation requirements and authentic educational innovation, often in collaboration with researchers like Lídia Serra and José Matias Alves. Her publications appear in journals spanning educational policy, innovation studies, and higher education research.

As a consultant for the Support Service for Educational Improvement (SAME FEP-UCP), Dr. Soares applies her research to practical educational contexts. She regularly participates as a speaker and trainer at academic conferences and professional development events. Her leadership of the Católica Learning Innovation Lab provides a platform for translating research into practical teaching innovations across the university.

Dr. Soares coordinates the Católica Learning Innovation Lab, which serves as a hub for developing and testing innovative pedagogical approaches. Her work bridges academic research with practical implementation in educational settings, focusing on how theoretical concepts about curriculum design, assessment, and teaching methods can be effectively applied in real classrooms and institutions.