PhD in Anthropology (Iscte, 1999) and Associate Professor at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon, School of Sociology and Public Policies. Director of the PhD program in African Studies. She was president of AEGIS (European Association of African Studies) and director of the Centre of African Studies/ Centre of International Studies at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon. Her primary field research has been conducted in West Africa, particularly Guinea-Bissau. Her main research interests are Development and African Studies, and she has published on development policies, focusing on gender, health, education, and peacebuilding.