معرفی
Maria Manuela Mendes is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lisbon, and a researcher at the Center for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte), University Institute of Lisbon since 2008. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Lisbon (2007), a Master's in Sociology from the University of Porto (1997), and a Bachelor's in Sociology from the University of Porto (1992). Her interdisciplinary research bridges sociology, urban studies, and policy analysis.
Her primary research explores Gypsy/Roma studies, urban sociology, and migration dynamics, with focus areas including housing inequality, social exclusion mechanisms, racism, and qualitative methodologies. She employs participatory approaches to examine how marginalized communities navigate structural barriers in education and urban spaces.
Her publications reveal consistent themes: educational pathways of Roma youth, impacts of discrimination on community development, and policy effectiveness in multicultural contexts. Recent work critically examines pandemic-era inequalities and digital divides affecting Roma populations. Methodologically, she prioritizes collaborative research designs that center community voices.
Scientific Awards:
- University of Lisbon/CGD Scientific Award in Social Sciences (2022)
- Honorable Mention in Social Sciences, University of Lisbon/CGD (2020)
- ISCTE-IUL Scientific Awards (2020, 2017)
- Multiple honorable mentions in social policy research (2008–2012)
She has led significant projects including EduCig (2017-2022), examining Roma school performance through action research, and the National Study on Roma Communities. As co-coordinator of the Migrations, Mobility and Ethnicity research group, she oversees interdisciplinary teams examining diversity in urban environments. She maintains collaborations with research centers across Europe focused on public policy and architecture.