João Graça holds a PhD in Psychology (ISCTE – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, 2016) and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon (ICS-ULisboa), and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Humanities University Portuguese Catholic University (FCH-UCP). Her main research interests are transitions to healthier and more sustainable consumption habits, with a primary focus on food. This interest is translated into three main axes: (1) how to encourage and empower consumers for more plant-based food; (2) how to trigger systemic and large-scale changes in the supply and consumption of more plant-based meals; and (3) to understand the dynamics of protection and human control / exploitation of nonhuman animals and the environment from the perspective of psychology.

His research interests also include the design and evaluation of intervention programs with children and youth, and the improvement of the social environment in development contexts (eg schools, residential care). He has participated in several national and international research projects focused on the response to societal challenges, founded by partners and reference agencies (eg, European Commission, Ministry of Education, Foundation for Science and Technology).

He is familiar with various research methods that include quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches, framed in a strong personal and academic orientation to connect science and society.