Raquel Matos is an Associate Professor of Psychology and member of the Research Centre for Human Development at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. She was awarded her PhD in Psychology in 2008 from University of Minho.

In the last decades she has developed research projects on gender, crime and punishment and has published articles and book chapters about women in prison as well as about gender and migrations control. More recently she has been coordinating in Portugal several European projects on juvenile delinquency, being particularly interested in exploring young offenders’ life pathways and experiences in the justice system.

Raquel Matos recently coordinated the Portuguese team of Project Promise – “Promoting Youth Involvement and Social Engagement – Opportunities and challenges for 'conflicted' young people across Europe”, funded by Horizon 2020.

She is currently Dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology and President of its Scientific Board.