Sandra Raquel Pereira de Aguiar Ricardo Mendes

She holds a PhD in Social Work from ISCTE - Lisbon University Institute, a Master's degree in Sociology from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Porto, and a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the Porto Higher Institute of Social Work. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Porto Higher Institute of Social Work. She has been a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro since 2016. Since 2017, she has been the administrator of the European Association of Schools of Social Work.

Her research focuses on the fields of Sociology and Social Work, with an emphasis on a critical approach to social inequalities, social exclusion and social restructuring in different geographical contexts. Her research interests focus on migration, social exclusion, addictive behaviours, gender inequalities, and the role of arts and culture in processes of inclusion, participation and social transformation in contexts of vulnerability. She is the author of academic papers, book chapters and conference proceedings. Her research is linked to her teaching and to the development of partnerships with institutions and civil society organisations, promoting dialogue between knowledge production, social intervention and public policy.