María Asensio is a Visiting Associate Professor at ISCTE-IUL, a researcher at the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-IUL), and Principal Researcher at the National Institute of Administration (INA, I.P.). At ISCTE, she serves on the board of the Institute of Public and Social Policies (IPPS-IUL) and is a member of the scientific committees of the PhD programs in Public Policy and Public Administration. She also sits on the scientific committee of the Democracy and Political Representation Observatory.

María holds a degree in Political Science and Sociology from the Complutense University of Madrid (1992) and a master’s degree in Social Sciences from the Juan March Institute (1994). She received her PhD in Political Science from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (2001) and is a Doctoral Fellow of the Carlos III–Juan March Institute (IC3IJM).

Throughout her career, María has taught at several universities, including the University of Coimbra (2001–2008), the University of Évora (2008–2011), ISCSP-UL (2011–2018), Universidade Aberta (2013–2016), and ISCTE (2010–2012, and since 2017). She has been involved in numerous international research projects, such as the NORFACE-funded project Healthdox: The Paradox of Health State Futures (2014–2018), and the DFG-funded project Political Economy of Social Policy Institutions (2001–2005). She coordinated the report CAF Challenges to Promote Public Sector Capacity under the Portuguese Presidency of the EU (EUPAN, 2021).

Her research lies at the intersection of comparative political science and public policy. She is particularly interested in how theoretical models, institutional frameworks, and political preferences shape policy-making, as well as in the determinants of public opinion towards welfare systems.

Beyond teaching and research, María actively contributes to the public debate on governance and social policy. She collaborates with public institutions and participates in expert forums to strengthen the link between academic research and policy design. Her work seeks to inform decision-making processes and to foster a better understanding of the challenges facing welfare states in Europe.