RISE 2019 Conference

Dr. María de Lourdes Lara Hernández is Director of the Social Sciences Department since 2017 and full Professor of the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, since 2000. She completed her doctoral studies in Social Community Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico. Since 1995, her research and doctoral dissertations has been on the subjects of participatory democracy, privatization and social change. She was co-designer of the first and unique bachelor’s degree in Participatory Action Research in PR.

She is also the Director of Fundación Agenda Ciudadana (Citizen Agenda Foundation); a national project that promotes participatory democracy and educates in citizen competences in all sectors. Under the Foundation she supported the advancement of policies aimed at health system, environment, education, energy, economy, among others.

In 2013, she received two awards: Psychologist of the Year, by the Puerto Rico Psychology Association and the recognition of Distinguished Alumni by the Alumni Association of the University of Puerto Rico. In 2009 she received the national recognition of Most Outstanding Psychologist in the area of Public Policy and Public Service at the Annual Convention of the Puerto Rico Psychology Association.