Dr. Carmen Vives-Cases | Public health | Best Researcher Award
University Professor at Universidad de Alicante, Spain
Dr. María del Carmen Vives-Cases is a distinguished Public Health Professor at the University of Alicante, renowned for her extensive research on gender-based violence, social inequalities, and public health. With a PhD in Sociology and over two decades of academic experience, she has led multiple high-impact, EU-funded projects addressing violence prevention, gender equity, and empowerment of marginalized populations. She has authored more than 200 scientific publications and received numerous national and international awards recognizing her contributions to epidemiology and gender studies. As Head of the Equality Unit at her university and a former president of the Spanish Scientific Association of Epidemiology, she has played a key role in shaping inclusive policies and fostering academic equity. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice, making significant strides in promoting public health and social justice both in Spain and across Europe. Dr. Vives-Cases is a highly respected voice in the global fight against gender violence.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. María del Carmen Vives-Cases holds a robust academic foundation in sociology and public health. She earned her Sociology Degree from the University of Alicante in 1998 and subsequently completed her PhD in Sociology at the same institution in 2004. Her doctoral thesis, titled “The public discourse about gender violence in Spain”, laid the groundwork for her lifelong research commitment to gender-based violence and social inequalities. Her education was rooted in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, equipping her with interdisciplinary tools essential for analyzing public health issues through a sociological lens. Her academic background reflects a consistent focus on understanding complex social dynamics, especially those affecting vulnerable populations. Dr. Vives-Cases has maintained strong ties with the academic community through continued collaborations and curriculum development, making her a key figure in shaping educational pathways that integrate gender, equity, and health systems. Her education has been instrumental in driving policy-relevant research at national and international levels.
Professional Experience
Dr. Vives-Cases has been a dedicated faculty member in the Public Health Department at the University of Alicante since 2001, where she currently serves as a full professor. Her professional career has been defined by a dual commitment to teaching and high-impact research. She has held leadership roles within both her institution and wider academic networks, including her tenure as Vice-President and later President of the Spanish Scientific Association of Epidemiology from 2012 to 2018. Since 2021, she has also served as Head of the Equality Unit at the University of Alicante, leading institutional efforts to promote gender equity in academia. Over her career, she has developed and coordinated multiple European research projects on gender-based violence, health equity, and educational interventions. Her professional experience extends beyond academia to influencing public health policies and international collaborations. Dr. Vives-Cases exemplifies academic leadership with a strong focus on real-world social and health issues.
Research Interest
Dr. María del Carmen Vives-Cases’ research focuses primarily on gender-based violence, social determinants of health, public health responses to inequality, and equity in academic institutions. She is particularly known for her work on intimate partner violence, masculinities, and access to health services for vulnerable groups, including Roma women and adolescents. Her studies employ mixed-methods approaches to bridge gaps between social science theory and public health practice. She has coordinated numerous high-impact European research projects such as Uni4Equity, ISEDA, and PositivMasc, which address systemic factors contributing to violence and promote evidence-based strategies for prevention. Additionally, her research integrates policy advocacy and health system strengthening, aiming to inform and transform institutional responses to violence and inequality. With over 200 publications and involvement in international networks, her research continues to shape the discourse around gender and health equity. Her interests reflect a holistic, justice-oriented approach to public health challenges.
Award and Honor
Dr. Vives-Cases has received numerous prestigious awards that highlight her exceptional contributions to research and public health. She was conferred the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University in 2019, recognizing her leadership in gender and health research. Her work has also been honored multiple times by the Spanish Society for Epidemiology, including the XXV Prize for Best Article in Gaceta Sanitaria and several Enrique Nájera Prizes for outstanding research abstracts. Additionally, she received the Prize for Research in Gender Violence from the Zero Tolerance Foundation and the Valencian Government in 2006–2007. These accolades underscore her influence in advancing evidence-based interventions and public policies. Dr. Vives-Cases’ awards not only reflect academic excellence but also a sustained commitment to addressing gender-based violence, improving health systems, and empowering vulnerable populations. Her recognition across both national and international arenas affirms her status as a leading researcher in her field.
Conclusion
Dr. María del Carmen Vives-Cases stands out as an exemplary scholar, educator, and public health leader. With a solid academic foundation, over two decades of professional experience, and a focused research agenda on gender-based violence and health inequalities, she has made transformative contributions to both academic literature and public policy. Her leadership in coordinating multinational research projects and her roles in institutional governance reflect a rare blend of scholarly excellence and societal engagement. She has received numerous awards acknowledging her impact, and her work continues to inform strategies that promote gender equity and public health across Europe. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy, Dr. Vives-Cases has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to social justice, making her a deserving candidate for any distinction recognizing outstanding research and leadership. Her career serves as a model for integrating academic rigor with social relevance, and her influence will undoubtedly continue shaping future generations of researchers and policymakers.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Areas for action to promote positive forms of masculinities in preventing violence against women: a concept mapping study in Spain
Authors: Cerdán-Torregrosa, A.; Sanz-Barbero, B.; La Parra-Casado, D.; Vives-Cases, C.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Building Bridges Between Arnett’s and Havighurst’s Theories: New Developmental Tasks in Emerging Adulthood Across Six Countries
Authors: Jankowiak, B.; Soroko, E.; Kuryś-Szyncel, K.; Jaskulska, S.; Hill, C.T.; Sawaumi, T.; Sanz-Barbero, B.; Vives-Cases, C.; Neves, S.; Inagaki, T. et al.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Delving into teen dating violence, gender and health assets in a participatory educational intervention: A mixed methods evaluation
Authors: Cerdán-Torregrosa, A.; Pérez-Martínez, V.; Davó-Blanes, M.C.; Comino, I.; Madrona-Bonastre, R.; Sanz-Barbero, B.; Vives-Cases, C.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Gender exclusion in research: a setback for science and public health
Authors: Vives-Cases, C.; Obón-Azuara, B.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Mental Well-Being, Sexual Orientation, and Interpersonal Stigma in Cisgender Adolescents in Catalonia
Authors: Drou-Roget, G.; Bosque-Prous, M.; González-Casals, H.; Teixidó-Compañó, E.; Vives-Cases, C.; Folch, C.; Sánchez-Ledesma, E.; Rogés, J.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Sexual violence in Catalan adolescents: prevalence, associated factors and health consequences
Authors: Gonzalez-Casals, H.; Vives-Cases, C.; Espelt, A.; Bosque-Prous, M.; Teixidó-Compañó, E.; Drou-Roget, G.; Folch, C.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Constructing, Deconstructing or Abolishing? Discourses on Masculinities in Violence Against Women Prevention by Stakeholders in Spain
Authors: Nardini, K.; Cerdán-Torregrosa, A.; Sanz-Barbero, B.; Davó-Blanes, M.C.; Vives-Cases, C.
Year: 2025 -
Title: Accessibility of intimate partner violence-related services for young women in Spain
Authors: Otero-García, L.; Durán-Martín, E.; Castellanos-Torres, E.; Sanz-Barbero, B.; Vives-Cases, C.
Year: 2024 -
Title: Characterizing myths of sexual aggression in the young population in Spain
Authors: Sanz-Barbero, B.; Vives-Cases, C.; Vall-llosera Casanovas, L.; Serra Saurina, L.; Saurina Canals, M.C.; Renart Vicens, G.
Year: 2024 -
Title: From general rejection to individual normalization: Ambivalences in discourses on intimate partner violence by young Spaniards
Authors: Bernasconi, I.O.; Espinar-Ruiz, E.; Parra-Casado, D.L.; Vives-Cases, C.
Year: 2024