Born in Porto in 1979, Maria João Mota has a degree in International Relations – Specialization in Cooperation and Development (2001 – Lusíada University) and postgraduate degrees in: “Human Rights and Democracy” (2005 – Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra), “Theatre as an instrument of intervention in socio-educational contexts” (2007 – Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto) and in “Evaluation of Public Policies” (2022 – ISCTE).  At the same time, developed a professional path in the performing arts, including a training course for actors and the performing arts held in Buenos Aires in 2012.

Co-founder of PELE (2007), a national and international reference collective in the field of participatory and community artistic practices. Since then, has conceived, directed and implemented artistic creation projects aimed at groups and territories in situations of social vulnerability. Specialist in the themes of participation, mediation, democratization and cultural democracy and, in this context, collaborates as a facilitator / provocateur of processes of reflection, discussion and collective action with entities such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, local authorities, among others. Since 2022 has been working as a consultant and emerging evaluator in the field of culture and community intervention.