Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joana Andrade | Psychology | Best Researcher Award
Portucalense University | Portugal
Dr. Joana Andrade is an Assistant Professor at Portucalense University, Portugal, and a Visiting Assistant Professor at ISPA and Universidade Lusófona. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in prison counseling, psychological assessment, and forensic mental health. Her career reflects a balance between academia and applied practice, combining teaching, research, and clinical work. With active participation in European-funded projects and international collaborations, she has become a recognized voice in forensic psychology and correctional interventions, contributing to evidence-based practices that advance both mental health care and justice systems.
Professional Profile
Scopus
ORCID
Education
Dr. Joana Andrade earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Minho, Portugal, where her doctoral research focused on the mental health and rehabilitation of prison populations. She pursued her academic training in forensic and applied psychology, equipping her with expertise in psychological assessment, intervention strategies, and risk management in justice-involved populations. Her education not only provided a strong theoretical foundation but also cultivated applied research skills that bridge clinical psychology with correctional rehabilitation.
Experience
Throughout her career, Dr. Joana Andrade has combined teaching, clinical practice, and applied research. As an Assistant Professor at Portucalense University and visiting faculty at ISPA and Universidade Lusófona, she mentors students and contributes to curriculum development in psychology and criminology. She has worked as a consultant and researcher on European Erasmus+ projects such as ActiveGames4Change, Blended Learning Environment for European Prisoners, and Coding-OUT, focusing on rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders. Additionally, she co-founded and practices at clinical psychology centers including ReConstruir, Normaliza Psicologia, and CPF, where she provides psychological services and training.
Research Interests
Dr. Joana Andrade’s research interests lie in forensic and applied psychology, with emphasis on mental health challenges among incarcerated and justice-involved populations. She investigates intervention effectiveness, trauma, antisocial behavior, suicide risk, and violence prediction in remand prisoners. She is also interested in restorative justice practices, offender rehabilitation, and psychosocial approaches to criminal behavior. Through systematic reviews, clinical trials, and applied studies, her work seeks to promote humane correctional practices, reduce recidivism, and improve mental health outcomes for offenders and victims alike.
Awards
Dr. Joana Andrade received an Honorable Mention in Academia OPP from the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses in recognition of her academic excellence. Her impactful research has gained international attention, leading to multiple publications in leading indexed journals and active contributions to cross-national projects on correctional reform and offender rehabilitation. She is now nominated for the Best Researcher Award for her outstanding contributions to forensic psychology, applied prison research, and European innovation initiatives in offender reintegration.
Publications
Dr. Joana Andrade has authored influential publications in indexed journals, addressing forensic mental health, intervention effectiveness, and correctional psychology. Some of her notable works include:
Tittle : Adapt Life on Remand: A Pilot Randomized Trial With Individuals in Pretrial Detention
Journal: Journal of Clinical Psychology
Published on: 2025
Tittle : In or Out: Justice-Involved Women Characterization and Their Perceptions about Penal Sanctions
Journal: Women & Criminal Justice
Published on: 2025
Tittle : Pre-trial detention as a last resort measure?
Journal: European Journal of Criminology
Published on: 2025
Tittle : Inmates’ mental health and violent outcomes: An exploratory study
Journal: Psychology of Violence
Published on: 2025
Tittle : Effectiveness of Intervention Programs for Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence with Substance Abuse and/or Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review
Journal: Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Published on: 2024
Tittle : Validity of the Violence Risk Scale (VRS) in a Portuguese sample of remand prisoners
Journal: Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
Published on: 2024
Tittle : Remand Prisoners’ Specific Needs: A Systematic Review
Journal: Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
Published on: 2023
Tittle : Suicide concerns among pretrial detainees: Validation of the SCOPE-2 (Portuguese version)
Journal: Journal of Forensic Practice
Published on: 2023
Conclusion
Dr. Joana Andrade has established herself as a distinguished researcher in forensic psychology, bridging academic research with applied practice in correctional and clinical contexts. Her innovative contributions to offender rehabilitation, mental health interventions, and risk assessment have advanced the scientific understanding of justice-involved populations in Portugal and beyond. With a strong publication record, international collaborations, and impactful Erasmus+ project leadership, she has significantly influenced both policy and practice in correctional systems. Her nomination for the Best Researcher Award reflects her commitment to excellence, societal impact, and the advancement of psychological science in justice settings.
