She holds a PhD in Psychology (1994, University of Seville). After working as postdoctoral researcher (including a Marie Sklodowska-Curie contract, ref. ERBFMBICT-960894), she started working as lecturer in the University of Seville in 2002, where now she is associate professor in the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology.

She has participated in numerous European projects since 1992, including the evaluation of the quality of early childhood education, bullying and discrimination, and the development and implementation of the programme of effective positive practices ‘Golden 5’ at all educational stages. 

Currently, her research interests revolve around effective and positive teaching practices and their impact on students’ academic achievement and well-being, particularly in contexts at risk of social exclusion, and the antecedents and consequences of the Andalusian social identity.