Maria Carme Montserrat Boada is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Girona (UdG). She is the Principal Investigator of LIBERI, the Research Group on Childhood, Youth, and Community, and has been actively involved in national and international research on child protection, children's rights, and youth well-being. She teaches in undergraduate programs in Psychology, Social Education, and Social Work, as well as in specialized master’s degrees in psychosocial intervention and social policies. PhD in Psychology and Quality of Life, University of Girona (2006) M.A. in Pedagogy, University of Barcelona B.A. in Teaching, University of Barcelona Her research focuses on vulnerable children and youth , child protection systems , subjective well-being , and the implementation of children's rights . She integrates applied and policy-oriented perspectives, drawing from community psychology and social intervention frameworks. Her work emphasizes participatory methods and the inclusion of children’s voices in decision-making processes. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent trajectory in child and youth welfare, with strong emphasis on policy evaluation, measurement of well-being, and comparative studies across European and Latin American contexts. Topics include child participation, deinstitutionalization, digital tools in social services, and resilience-building programs. The interdisciplinary nature of her work spans psychology, social work, public policy, and human rights, often employing mixed-methods and qualitative synthesis approaches. Scientific Service and Recognition: Associate Editor, Children and Youth Services Review Member, International Association for Outcome-Based Evaluation and Research on Child and Family Services (iaOBERfcs) Member, Catalan Children’s Rights Observatory (Generalitat de Catalunya) International Consultant, Council of Europe – "Building a Europe for and with children" (2007–2009) Research visits at the University of York (UK) and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) She has led and participated in numerous competitive research projects funded by public administrations and third-sector organizations. Her advisory roles extend to policy development and professional training in child protection agencies. She collaborates with international thematic networks and contributes to scientific committees shaping child welfare research agendas. Maria Carme Montserrat leads the LIBERI research group, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration on childhood and community development. The team conducts applied research, develops evaluation tools, and promotes evidence-based policies. LIBERI maintains active partnerships with public institutions and NGOs working in child and youth services.
