Isabel Menezes

Isabel Menezes is a Full Professor in the Department of Educational Sciences at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal. She serves as Director of the Center for Educational Research and Intervention (CIIE) and holds leadership roles including President of the Scientific Council of FPCEUP and Director of the Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Training. She is actively involved in national and international research initiatives and academic governance.

• Habilitation in Educational Sciences, University of Porto (2007)
• PhD in Psychology, University of Porto (1998)

Her research centers on citizenship education, civic and political participation, political psychology, and environmental education. She investigates how participatory experiences empower marginalized groups—including youth, immigrants, and persons with disabilities—focusing on inclusion, democratic engagement, and climate action. Her work spans educational, community, and policy levels.

Recent publications highlight youth climate activism, community-based environmental citizenship, professional activism in education, and participatory methodologies. Themes include youth-led climate labs, community profiling for sustainability, and emotional dimensions of political education. Her work bridges theory and practice across formal and informal educational contexts.

• Principal Investigator, Horizon Europe SINCRONY project (2024–2026)
• Co-Principal Investigator, Chair of Citizenship/Global Education, OEI-CIIE (2021–2022)
• Principal Investigator, ClimActiC project (2021–2023)
• Former Principal Investigator, CATCH-EyoU, DISK, UNIBILITY, and EU-USR projects

She has led multiple national and EU-funded projects on university social responsibility, youth participation, and educational inclusion. She advises on public policy, including the External Evaluation of Portugal’s National Strategy for Development Education. She is a founding member and former board chair (2017–2024) of the Portuguese Society of Educational Sciences (SPCE). She also leads the Doctoral Program in Education Sciences and co-leads the Doctoral Program in Artistic Education.

She is co-responsible for the CIIE Laboratory of Digital Experimentation and Research in Education (LabDERE) and leads interdisciplinary research teams focusing on civic engagement, social justice, and sustainability in education.