Maria Neto is an architect, university professor, and researcher, with postgraduate studies in the Development of Human Settlements in the Third World by ICHaB-ETSAM, a professional training in Humanitarian Shelter Coordination by IFRC, UNHCR, and Oxford Brookes University, and a doctoral thesis in Architecture on refugee camps in protracted situations and humanitarian action. Her research is deeply embedded in the practicalities of architecture, urban planning, and humanitarian action, focusing particularly on refugee studies and the participatory processes within vulnerable communities. Recognizing that refugees and refugee camps should be at the center of our civilizational agenda, she delves into migratory movements, demographic changes, and the essence of citizenship. Her work critically examines housing policies and methodological interventions aimed at enhancing living conditions for marginalized groups, employing participatory approaches that not only encourage integration and cooperation but also empower the community members in the planning process, optimizing the use of resources. On these topics, she is the author of several chapters in books and articles in scientific journals, debates, and international conferences. She is also the author of the book "The Invisible Cities of Dadaab" (OASRN, 2019), the essay "Landscapes of Care" (circo de ideias, 2022) awarded with the Universities Prize of the Lisbon Architecture Triennial, co-editor of the book "Utopia-500" (with Fátima Vieira and Pedro Leão Neto, UP Press, 2019) and co-editor of the book "Contrast II" (2021). She has been acting as an invited lecturer at DECA-UBI and as a researcher at CEAU-FAUP and ICHaB-ETSAM since 2013. Additionally, she has served as a visiting professor at various national and international universities, including ETSAM, FAUP, ETSAC, and UVa. She has actively participated in various projects funded by competitive funds as a researcher and Co-PI. Furthermore, she has contributed to development cooperation efforts with Architects Without Borders Madrid in Senegal and has joined humanitarian action teams in Kenya (Dadaab) with UNHCR and in England (Leeds) with the British Red Cross (BRC). Currently, she teaches Design Studio I and runs her own architectural studio. Her approach intertwines teaching and professional experience, ensuring that one informs the other. This dynamic interplay leads to a continual reevaluation and enrichment, leading to a (re)visiting and deepening of already acquired knowledge. During 2022 she collaborated with IHRU on the "Housing for Habitat Program" under the New Generation of Housing Policies (NGPH), as a Local Action technician in the Cabo Mor neighborhood in Vila Nova de Gaia. She currently coordinates an interinstitutional cooperation agreement at UBI between UBI-FAUP-CMF for the construction of 5 buildings comprising 22 dwellings in the historical center of Fundão. This project, funded by the National Emergency and Temporary Housing Grant (BNAUT) under the Recovery and Resilience Program (PRR), is aimed at communities of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants, in line with Fundão's municipal strategy of 'Refuge City'. She was the winner of the 11th edition of the Fernando Távora Award and joined, by invitation, the Portuguese representation at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, in the Debate "Instant Cities" with Michel Agier and Manuel Herz (2021). She has been an invited speaker at various events, including public lectures delivered at the Mikser Festival in Belgrade (2016) by invitation of the Camões Foundation, a lecture given at the Fernando Távora Award ceremony (2016), participation in the launch debate of the 18th edition of the Távora Award, invited by the College of Architects (2022), and an invitation to participate in the debate 'Architecture in a Context of Emergency,' commemorating the 6th anniversary of Casa da Arquitectura (2023).