Doctor at University of Valencia, Spain
Mirian Fernández Salido, a dedicated social science researcher at the University of Valencia, has made significant contributions to social welfare policy research and education. With a strong academic background, including a Master’s degree in Social Welfare and an ongoing Ph.D. in Public Social Welfare Policies, she specializes in socio-technical approaches to addressing challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities, older adults, and those at risk of exclusion. She has actively contributed to several European projects under Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020, published impactful research articles, and presented at international conferences. Her teaching innovation in Social Work and leadership in developing microlearning methodologies further underline her commitment to academic excellence and societal impact. Her multilingual abilities, data analysis skills, and experience in educational innovation strengthen her profile. Overall, Mirian’s proactive research engagement, community-oriented focus, and academic leadership make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, though enhancing international collaborations and language proficiency could broaden her global impact.
Professional Profile
Education🎓
Mirian Fernández Salido has pursued an impressive and focused academic journey centered on social welfare and public policy. She earned her Degree in Social Work from the University of Valencia in 2019 with an outstanding final grade of 8.97, receiving the Extraordinary Degree Award. Her studies covered diverse fields including psychology, sociology, anthropology, gender equality, and research techniques. In 2020, she completed a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare with a specialization in Family Intervention, further strengthening her expertise in addressing social vulnerabilities. Currently, she is enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Design, Management, and Evaluation of Public Social Welfare Policies at the University of Valencia, working towards a Ph.D. (EQF Level 8) set for completion in 2025. This academic progression reflects her deep commitment to social research and policy development. Her education forms a strong foundation for her ongoing research initiatives and her role as a university professor and policy innovator.
Professional Experience📝
Mirian Fernández Salido has built a robust professional career rooted in social research and academic teaching. Since October 2020, she has served as a Social Science Researcher at the University of Valencia’s Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy (Polibienestar), where she develops and implements European projects funded by Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020. Her work focuses on vulnerable populations, including ethnic minorities, older adults, and those at risk of social exclusion. She has also contributed significantly to scientific literature through high-impact publications. Between February 2021 and May 2023, Mirian worked as a Professor at the University of Valencia, teaching the subject “Research in Social Welfare Systems” for the Social Work degree program. She was responsible for curriculum design, student evaluation, tutoring, and leading educational innovation projects. Her combined research and teaching roles demonstrate her ability to bridge theory with practice, influencing both academic and policy-making spheres in social welfare.
Research Interest🔎
Mirian Fernández Salido’s research interests lie at the intersection of social welfare, public policy, and vulnerable populations. She is particularly focused on designing, managing, and evaluating public policies that address the needs of marginalized groups, including ethnic minorities, older adults, and individuals at risk of social exclusion. Her work emphasizes value-based, person-centered approaches in long-term care and integrated health systems, often leveraging socio-technical and ICT-supported solutions. Mirian is deeply committed to participatory research methods, co-creation, and shared decision-making in policy design. Her involvement in European-funded projects such as ValueCare and iHERE reflects her dedication to advancing innovative practices in social work and healthcare delivery. She also explores the role of digital literacy, emotional education, and motivational interviewing as tools for empowerment and social inclusion. Through academic publications, conferences, and educational initiatives, Mirian aims to bridge research, policy, and practice, contributing to the development of inclusive and equitable social systems.
Award and Honor🏆
Mirian Fernández Salido has received several honors and recognitions that highlight her academic excellence and contributions to social research. Notably, she was awarded the Extraordinary Degree Award upon completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Valencia, recognizing her as one of the top-performing students in her cohort. Her innovative work and commitment to academic development have also been recognized through participation in prestigious international conferences, where she was invited to present research findings from high-impact European projects such as ValueCare and iHERE. Furthermore, her involvement in educational innovation projects at the University of Valencia reflects institutional recognition of her efforts to improve teaching methodologies and student engagement. These accolades underscore her dedication to impactful research and education, particularly in addressing social challenges affecting vulnerable populations. Her growing list of publications and international presentations continues to affirm her position as an emerging leader in the field of social welfare research.
Research Skill🔬
Mirian Fernández Salido possesses a robust set of research skills honed through her active engagement in numerous European research projects and academic initiatives. She demonstrates proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and evaluation, particularly in the field of social welfare and public policy. Her expertise includes the use of advanced tools such as Atlas.ti for qualitative data analysis and strong capabilities in scientific writing and academic dissemination. Mirian is adept at developing and managing European project proposals, especially under Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 programs, showcasing her knowledge in research design, implementation, and impact assessment. Her participation in various international conferences and collaborations with interdisciplinary teams reflects her ability to communicate complex ideas and adapt to multicultural and multi-sectoral environments. Moreover, her skills in educational innovation and content co-creation demonstrate her commitment to bridging research with practical, real-world applications for social betterment.
Conclusion💡
Mirian Fernández Salido is a highly promising and impactful social science researcher, showing exceptional dedication to tackling social inequalities and aging-related challenges through interdisciplinary, applied research. Her blend of academic, pedagogical, and project leadership qualifies her as an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With minor improvements in language fluency, international project leadership, and quantitative research balance, she is well on her way to becoming a leading figure in European social research.
Publications Top Noted✍️
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Title: THE DANCECARE PROJECT: AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME COMBINING DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY, WISE MOTION AND E-LEARNING TO IMPROVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF LONG-TERM CARERS
Authors: Mirian Fernández Salido, Sandra Martínez Molina, Sara Santini, Panagiotis Kassidakis, Hanna Poikonen, Stavros Pitoglou, Marloes van Houten, Flavia Galassi
Year: 2025
Citation: Fernández Salido, M., Martínez Molina, S., Santini, S., Kassidakis, P., Poikonen, H., Pitoglou, S., van Houten, M., & Galassi, F. (2025). THE DANCECARE PROJECT: AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME COMBINING DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY, WISE MOTION AND E-LEARNING TO IMPROVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF LONG-TERM CARERS. INTED2025. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2025.0269
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Title: Health and Well-Being of Older People in the City of Valencia: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Leticia Pérez-Saiz, Mireia Ferri-Sanz, Marina Canas, Mirian Fernández, Maite Ferrando, Rachael Dix
Year: 2024
Citation: Pérez-Saiz, L., Ferri-Sanz, M., Canas, M., Fernández, M., Ferrando, M., & Dix, R. (2024). Health and Well-Being of Older People in the City of Valencia: A Comprehensive Study. Healthcare, 12(24), Article 2526. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12242526
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Title: Efficacy of a Comprehensive and Personalised Approach for Frail Older People in Valencia (Spain): A Pre–Post Controlled Trial
Authors: Mirian Fernández-Salido, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás, Jorge Garcés-Ferrer
Year: 2024
Citation: Fernández-Salido, M., Alhambra-Borrás, T., & Garcés-Ferrer, J. (2024). Efficacy of a Comprehensive and Personalised Approach for Frail Older People in Valencia (Spain): A Pre–Post Controlled Trial. Healthcare, 12(17), Article 1754. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12171754
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Title: Implementation of a Comprehensive and Personalised Approach for Older People with Psychosocial Frailty in Valencia (Spain): Study Protocol for a Pre–Post Controlled Trial
Authors: Mirian Fernández-Salido, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás, Jorge Garcés-Ferrer
Year: 2024
Citation: Fernández-Salido, M., Alhambra-Borrás, T., & Garcés-Ferrer, J. (2024). Implementation of a Comprehensive and Personalised Approach for Older People with Psychosocial Frailty in Valencia (Spain): Study Protocol for a Pre–Post Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), Article 715. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060715
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Title: Value-Based Healthcare Delivery: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mirian Fernández-Salido, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás, Georgia Casanova, Jorge Garcés-Ferrer
Year: 2024
Citation: Fernández-Salido, M., Alhambra-Borrás, T., Casanova, G., & Garcés-Ferrer, J. (2024). Value-Based Healthcare Delivery: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), Article 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020134
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Title: Health Access, Health Promotion, and Health Self-Management: Barriers When Building Comprehensive Ageing Communities
Authors: Leticia Perez Saiz, Mireia Ferri Sanz, Maite Ferrando Garcia, Mirian Fernández Salido, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás, Jorge Garcés Ferrer, Rachael Dix
Year: 2023
Citation: Perez Saiz, L., Ferri Sanz, M., Ferrando Garcia, M., Fernández Salido, M., Alhambra-Borrás, T., Garcés Ferrer, J., & Dix, R. (2023). Health Access, Health Promotion, and Health Self-Management: Barriers When Building Comprehensive Ageing Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), Article 6880. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196880
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Title: The Risk of Household Socioeconomic Deprivation Related to Older Long-Term Care Needs: A Qualitative Exploratory Study in Italy and Spain
Authors: Georgia Casanova, Mirian Fernández Salido, Carolina Moreno-Castro
Year: 2023
Citation: Casanova, G., Fernández Salido, M., & Moreno-Castro, C. (2023). The Risk of Household Socioeconomic Deprivation Related to Older Long-Term Care Needs: A Qualitative Exploratory Study in Italy and Spain. Sustainability, 15(20), Article 15031. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015031
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Title: Innovating European Long-Term Care Policies through the Socio-Economic Support of Families: A Lesson from Practices
Authors: Mirian Fernández Salido, Carolina Moreno-Castro, Francesco Belletti, Stecy Yghemonos, Jorge Garcès Ferrer, Georgia Casanova
Year: 2022
Citation: Fernández Salido, M., Moreno-Castro, C., Belletti, F., Yghemonos, S., Garcès Ferrer, J., & Casanova, G. (2022). Innovating European Long-Term Care Policies through the Socio-Economic Support of Families: A Lesson from Practices. Sustainability, 14(7), Article 4097. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074097
