Social Affairs

She has a PhD in Sociology, specialising in Development and Social Change, from the Nova School of Social Sciences and Humanities in Lisbon.
She is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at NOVA FCSH, where she coordinates the Master’s degree in Human Ecology and Contemporary Social Problems. She is an integrated researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences and has done research work on the subjects of ageing and the related social policies, family and intergenerational relations, as well as health.

Last updated: July 2024

She specialises in cognition and the cognitive distortion patterns that prevent us from making better life choices. She is also an expert on how behavioural changes can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life via positive psychological attitudes.
A professor of psychology and Director of Yale University's Silliman College, her «Psychology and Living Well» classes have been wildly successful, breaking all enrollment records at the institution. They also led her to create a free online course, which has already received over 3.3 million students, as well as the podcast «The Happiness Lab».
Drawing on her research, she explains how we are biologically programmed to be motivated by sex, to be deeply influenced by other people and to repeat our mistakes. Using examples from the animal kingdom, she explains many of our illogical behaviours and gives tips on how we can use our human abilities to counter evolution, make more rational choices and live happier lives.

Last updated: February 2023

Author of the novels «Archipelago” and "Meridian 28», as well as the diaries «Life in the Countryside», which earned him the APE Grand Prize. He was born on Terceira Island, spent 20 years in Lisbon – where he wrote for almost all the major national newspapers – and returned to the Azores in 2012. Since then, he has been living in Dois Caminhos, where he takes care of his two dogs, a garden and an orchard. He is the author, among others, of the column «Father at 50» (Notícias Magazine).

He has a master’s degree in legal and political sciences and a law degree. A professional lawyer with over 15 years’ experience, he has also been a member of Parliament (2011-2013) and Secretary of State for Tourism (2013-2015). Furthermore, he served as vice-president of the CDS-PP (2016-2019). He has been a commentator and columnist for SIC, TSF, Visão, Jornal de Negócios, Diário de Notícias and i.

Last updated: April 2023