Maria Odete Emygdio da Silva

Maria Odete Emygdio da Silva holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Special Education from the University of São Paulo, Brazil (acknowledged by the University of Lisbon) since 2000. She also holds a degree in Educational Sciences with a focus on Teacher Training from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Lisbon University (1995), a degree in Special Education (Serious Problems of Cognition) from Lisbon Higher Education School (1994), a Specialization Diploma in Special Education (Intellectual Deficit Functioning) from António Aurélio da Costa Ferreira Institute in Lisbon (1981), and a bachelor's degree as a former primary teacher (1976). In 2002, she obtained certification as a teacher trainer in specialized areas, including Special Education, Pedagogical Relationship, and Research Methodologies. Subsequently, she became an expert in external assessment processes within Portuguese schools.

Since 2019, Maria Odete Emygdio da Silva has served as the Director of the master’s in Special Education at Lusofona University of Lisbon, where she has been a faculty member since 2000. Holding the position of Associate Professor, she is also an Integrated Researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development (CeiED) and a member of ReLeCo - Public Policies and Governance in Education (PPGE). Furthermore, she serves as co-coordinator of the micro-credential program “Special Education and Inclusive Education: Conceptualization, Policies, and Practices.”

Engaged in scholarly activities, Maria Odete acts as a peer reviewer for several scientific journals and is a member of the Association Francophone Internationale de Recherche Scientifique en Education (AFIRSE) and the Portuguese Society of Educational Sciences (SPCE).

At Lusofona University, she is a senior lecturer in the master’s programs in Special Education, Educational Sciences, and Visual Arts. She also lectures in the Social Education degree program and supervises numerous doctoral and master’s theses.

As a contributing member of the research project ReMASE Project: Research Methods in Advanced Studies in Education, funded by FCT EXPL/CED-EDG/1130/2021 (2022-23), Maria Odete has gained in-depth knowledge and expertise in active methodologies, particularly valuable in their application to students enrolled in master’s programs. In her role as a teacher trainer specializing in inclusive education, she recognizes the importance of acquiring more knowledge in methodologies to make informed choices that enhance the inclusive experience for students. She has also participated in three summer schools organized by CeiED.

Maria Odete is actively involved in organizing and serving as a member of the scientific committee for international scientific events, including the symposiums "Inclusion and Teacher Training in Portugal" (2022), "Policies and Practices of Inclusive Education: Brazil and Portugal in Dialogue" (2023), and “Portugal: Education and Inclusion” (2024). These events featured distinguished Portuguese and Brazilian speakers with recognized scientific merit. Additionally, as a member of the organizing committee for scientific events hosted by CeiED, she contributes to the Annual Young Researchers Meeting and co-authors scientific articles with junior researchers.

Within the framework of the Gulbenkian Qualification of New Generations Program, Maria Odete served as co-trainer and advisor for the project "Know to Differentiate, Act to Include" (2015-16), funded by the Gulbenkian Foundation. This initiative, in response to a request from a school cluster facing challenges in including pupils with special education needs, was directed by Lusofona University.

On the publication front, Maria Odete has authored and co-authored significant works, including three books: "Management of Learning in the Inclusive Classroom," "Teacher Training for the Inclusion of Students with Special Educational Needs," and "Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs – Studies" (the latter co-authored). She has also contributed chapters to books and scientific articles published in Portugal and Brazil.

• Teacher Training
• Special Education
• Inclusive Education.