Maria Manuela Calheiros

Maria Manuela Calheiros obtained a Postgraduate degree in “Social and Cultural Psychology” at Western Michigan University (1990), a Master’s degree in “Social and Organizational Psychology” at ISCTE-IUL (1996), an European Diploma of Advanced Studies in Social Psychology (DASSP, 1994), and a PhD in “Community Social Psychology” at ISCTE-IUL (2003). She was an Assistant Professor ISCTE-IUL (2003-2017) and she is currently a Full Professor at the University of Lisbon.

At ISCTE-IUL she was Head of the Department of Social and Organizational Psychology (2012-2014). She founded and coordinated a Postgraduate Course (2005-2008) and the Master’s Program in Community Psychology and Protection of Children and Youth at Risk (2006-2014). She also founded and was a member of the ISCTE Ethics Committee for 8 years.

At the University of Lisbon, she is the Vice-President of the Pedagogical Council.

She was involved in 31 funded scientific projects (25 as PI). She has integrated 15 research teams for international and national competitive project funding (e.g., Horizon 2020; COST; FCT). She served on the Scientific Committee of international events, and she has been a member of evaluation panels of national and international projects (e.g., Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, Swiss National Science Foundation, Francisco Manuel dos Santos and European Research Council). She has served as member of the editorial board of six scientific journals and has reviewed for 35 journals (e.g., Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Psychology of Violence). She also has been a member of governing bodies of scientific societies – most notably, as President of the Portuguese Psychological Association (2010-2013).

She has published 81 articles in specialized journals, 29 book chapters and 4 books.

She has been honored with 43 Scientific Awards: 37 Scientific Awards for publications; 1st Pedagogical Award 2014-2015 ISCTE-IUL; In 2009 Publication Award: “IPOST: Per la ricerca e per lo studio”(Italy). In 2023, she received the Scientific Award in Psychology, University of Lisbon, as a recognition of the track-record of international publications (31 manuscripts Q1) in 2018-2022. In 2024, she was honored with the 2023 ISCTE-IUL Alumni Career Award. This Career Award honours a personality who is considered relevant, both for the development of society and for recognizing the quality of teaching.

Training young researchers has been a crucial part of her career. She has contributed to the scientific training of young researchers, both by supervising research fellows, Master’s, PhD and post-doctoral students, and by teaching specific courses and co-authoring publications (e.g., Garrido & Calheiros, 2016) in this field.

In knowledge dissemination to the community, the translational approach of applied research has led to funding projects applied to solving social problems, which resulted in the foundation of new services and respective legislation (e.g., Autonomy Residential Care).

The relationship with public authorities has led to participation in working groups for advising political decision-makers (e.g., Working Group advising the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security on the eradication of child poverty, 2019-2020).

The attention that the media has given to the findings of her research also highlights its social relevance in disseminating science to the society. She has collaborated with different media channels (e.g., radio, TV, daily and weeklies newspapers) to raise awareness related parenting, education, development and risk, maltreatment, child labour and trafficking.

She has also worked on programs for the government and NGOs to transfer knowledge (consultancy, training, supervision) as well as the publication of several books for the professional community (e.g., Calheiros et al., 2019; 2024).

The international recognition is reflected in invitations to collaborate in defining European public policies, including the European Parliament (Calheiros, 2019), and the Committee of Experts on Children and Families (European Council, 2005-2006) resulting in the “Recommendation Rec(2006)19 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on policy to support positive parenting (2006)”.

Self Development
Moral and Ethical Unravelling in Interpersonal Relationships
Authenticity and empowerment
Child Maltreatment and neglect
Design and evaluation programs
Prevention and promotion for institutionalization
Adoption
Professional-child relationships
Cultural and Social Climate in social organizations

Most Representative Projects

Protecting infants and toddlers from domestic violence: Diagnostic protocol for infant and toddler abuse and neglect to be implemented to European public health systems.
Position: Principal Investigator/ Nacional Coordenator
Funding: European Commission. “DAPHNE III” (2007-2013) – To Prevent and combat violence against Children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk.  Grant Agreement Number: JUST/2011-2012/DAP/AG/3283.

Towards Quality.
Principal Investigator: J. Neves
Position: Researcher
Funding: European Commission. EQUAL
Grant Agreement Number: 2004/EQUAL/A2/EE/085.

An Intervention Curriculum: Teaching Effective Parenting Skills to Parents of Infants.
Investigador Coordenador: V. B. Johnson
Position: Researcher
Funding: Luso-American Educational Commission/CIP, Council of International Programs, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. Western Michigan University
Grant Agreement: Fulbright – HAYS

Social Images, organizational climate and quality of relationships in Residential Care: The design, implementation and evaluation of an intervention program.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding:  FCT/ FEDER
Grant Agreement Number: Projeto n.º 30373 – AAC 02/SAICT/2017

The images of institutionalized youth and their impact upon their self-representations and well-being.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: FCT; Grant Agreement Number: (PTDC/MHC-PSC/4122/2012)

Socio‐cognitive models of social inclusion: Preventing early interethnic discrimination.
Principal Investigator: M. B. Monteiro
Position: researcher
Funding: FCT; Grant Agreement Number:  PTDC/PSI/71271/2006

Social images of institutionalised children and young people in Portugal and Brazil.
Position: Intercontinental Coordenator / Principal Investigator
Funding: FCT/CAPES Fonte de Financiamento 311, Programa 13, Medida 004; CAPES
Grant Agreement Number: 6818

Assessment of Risk and Protective Factors in Young People: Health Service Design.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Assessment, Strategies and Public Policies Based on Resilience to Respond to COVID-19 Systemic Risk – SOCIETY GROUP.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos

The Social Construction of Mistreatment and Parental Neglect: From Common Sense to Scientific Knowledge.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: PRAXIS XXI, Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica. Ministério da Ciência; Grant Agreement Number: (BD/2611/94)

Programme for the Territorialisation of Educational Policies of Priority Intervention (TEIP3): Improving School Success and Social Inclusion in Critical Territories.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: European Social Fund (European Parliament/Council) e Ministério da Educação e Ciência (MES/POCH/POAT-FSE)

Evaluation of the Implementation and Impact of the “Mais Sucesso Escolar” Programme.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: Ministry of Education and Science /POAT-European Social Fund (MES/QREN/POAT-FSE)
Grant Agreement Number: Procedure n.º 2011/109/GEPE/ABS

Matching Needs and Services: Improving for Children in Needs.
Position: Principal Investigator
Funding: Centre for Social Policy, Dartington Service Design LAB, Dartington-I, England; Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security

Most cited papers (August 2024)

Attached to meat? (Un)Willingness and intentions to adopt a more plant-based diet.
Graça, J., Calheiros, M.M., Oliveira, A.
Appetite, 2015, 95, pp. 113–125
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.06.024
313 Citations

Meat, beyond the plate. Data-driven hypotheses for understanding consumer willingness to adopt a more plant-based diet.
Graça, J., Oliveira, A., Calheiros, M.M.
Appetite, 2015, 90, pp. 80–90
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.02.037
184 Citations

Situating moral disengagement: Motivated reasoning in meat consumption and substitution.
Graça, J., Calheiros, M.M., Oliveira, A.
Personality and Individual Differences, 2016, 90, pp. 353–364
DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.11.042
99 Citations

Why are women less likely to support animal exploitation than men? The mediating roles of social dominance orientation and empathy.
Graça, J., Calheiros, M.M., Oliveira, A., Milfont, T.L.
Personality and Individual Differences, 2018, 129, pp. 66–69
DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.03.007
80 Citations

Moral Disengagement in Harmful but Cherished Food Practices? An Exploration into the Case of Meat.
Graça, J., Calheiros, M.M., Oliveira, A.
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 2014, 27(5), pp. 749–765
DOI: 10.1007/s10806-014-9488-9
63 Citations

A dual-factor model of mental health and social support: Evidence with adolescents in residential care.
Magalhães, E., Calheiros, M.M.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2017, 79, pp. 442–449
DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.041
35 Citations

Social images of residential care: How children, youth and residential care institutions are portrayed?
Calheiros, M.M., Garrido, M.V., Lopes, D., Patrício, J.N.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2015, 55, pp. 159–169
DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.06.004
33 Citations

Implicit measures of child abuse and neglect: A systematic review.
Camilo, C., Garrido, M.V., Calheiros, M.M.
Aggression and Violent Behavior, 2016, 29, pp. 43–54
DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2016.06.002
26 Citations

The social information processing model in child physical abuse and neglect: A meta-analytic review.
Camilo, C., Garrido, M.V., Calheiros, M.M.
Child Abuse and Neglect, 2020, 108, 104666
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104666
23 citations

Assessment of Needs in Residential Care: Perspectives of Youth and Professionals.
Calheiros, M.M., Patrício, J.N.
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2014, 23(3), pp. 461–474
DOI: 10.1007/s10826-012-9702-1
22 Citations

Authority in the classroom: Adolescent autonomy, autonomy support, and teachers’ legitimacy.
Graça, J., Calheiros, M.M., Barata, M.C.
European Journal of Psychology of Education, 2013, 28(3), pp. 1065–1076
DOI: 10.1007/s10212-012-0154-1
21 Citations

Staff and youth views on autonomy and emancipation from residential care: A participatory research study.
Calheiros, M.M., Patrício, J.N., Graça, J.
Evaluation and Program Planning, 2013, 39, pp. 57–66
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2013.04.003
19 Citations

Child Maltreatment Severity Questionnaire (MSQ) for Professionals: Development, Validity, and Reliability Evidence
Calheiros, M.M., Silva, C.S., Magalhães, E.
Assessment, 2021, 28(5), pp. 1397–1417
DOI: 10.1177/1073191119890030
17 Citations

Interparental conflict and adolescents’ self-representations: The role of emotional insecurity.
Silva, C.S., Calheiros, M.M., Carvalho, H.
Journal of Adolescence, 2016, 52, pp. 76–88
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.07.007
16 Citations

Defining Child Maltreatment Among Lay People and Community Professionals: Exploring Consensus in Ratings of Severity.
Calheiros, M.M., Monteiro, M.B., Patrício, J.N., Carmona, M.
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2016, 25(7), pp. 2292–2305
DOI: 10.1007/s10826-016-0385-x
16 Citations

Adaptation of Nussbaum’s Capabilities Framework to Community Mental Health: A Consumer-Based Capabilities Measure.
Sacchetto, B., Ornelas, J., Calheiros, M.M., Shinn, M.
American Journal of Community Psychology, 2018, 61(1-2), pp. 32–46
DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12221
14 Citations

parenting;
prevention;
child maltreatment;
program design and evaluation;
residential care;