Jorge Manuel Leitão Ferreira

Associate professor with Aggregation at the Department of Political Science and Public Policy, School of Sociology and Public Policy, Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon in Portugal.

Doctor of Social Work specializing in Social Work, Social Policies and Society. Associate Professor at ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon. Director of Ph.D. in Social Work. Director of the Political Science and Public Policies Department. Effective member of the Scientific Committee of the Department of Political Science and Public Policies. Effective member of the ESPP pedagogical committee. Secretary of REdidi – Ibero-American Network of Teaching and Research in Children, to 2021. Vice-president of the Scientific Society in Social Work, Portugal. Vice-president of the Association for International Social Service. President of the Local Development Association ALAO. 

He is a renowned academic specializing in Social Work and Social Policies. His work focuses on child welfare systems, the role of social workers in child and family protection, and the intersection of social intervention and judicial systems. His research explores critical theories of Social Work, international social work and policies, and intervention methodologies for at-risk populations, including abusive families and those facing systemic challenges. 

He has a rich academic and professional background, with advanced training in psychiatric rehabilitation and criminology in Europe. He has published extensively, including 38 scientific journals, 46 books or book chapters, and frequently contributes to international conferences and seminars. He is a visiting professor at different European and international universities and collaborates with institutions across Portugal and Europe. Beyond academia, he actively participates in research programs, international collaborations, and educational initiatives, shaping future directions in Social Work theory and practice.