María José Zapata Campos drives research and change at ICLD
New Research Chief María José Zapata Campos has taken on her new role as Research Chief at ICLD, with a mission to empower local democracies and combat global inequalities. Passionate about creating a sustainable future, she’s ready to make her mark at ICLD!
Who is María-José?
Born and raised in Elche, a town on Spain’s southeast coast, María José’s academic and social journey reflects the democratic transition her country experienced during the late 20th century. This period of political and social change opened new doors for the working class, allowing more access to higher education and civic participation. These developments paved the way for her career, ultimately leading her to become a researcher and associate professor of Business administration at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg. In addition to her academic role, she now serves as Research Chief at ICLD’s Knowledge Centre, where she leads research initiatives aimed at promoting equality and sustainability.
Away from her impactful research, María José enjoys reading the newspaper, listening to the radio while sipping coffee and going to the movies with her colleagues from the cinema club. No matter the season, she finds joy in swimming in the sea, embracing both the warmer and colder climates.
A lifelong commitment
María José is not just an accomplished academic; her career reflects a deep commitment to creating impact. She has actively sought opportunities beyond university walls to address global challenges. Her dedication to promoting equality and development took her, for a brief period, to Nicaragua, where she worked with the Netherlands Development Organisation SNV to foster economic development with a focus on equality in Nicaragua.
“My dream has always been to work towards promoting development and combating inequality.”
Leading climate action and integration research
Her research path became more defined after her postdoctoral period at the University of Gothenburg, where she explored the collaboration between municipalities and civil society, with a particular emphasis on climate action and equality.
Today, she leads an EU-financed research project about civil society initiatives for sustainability and climate action at the grassroot level, in collaboration with municipalities in cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Gothenburg and Nantes. She is also involved in research on the social inclusion of Swedish immigrant women.
With over 15 years of postdoctoral experience in project applications, implementation and research publications, María José continues to stretch the limits of what’s possible. Her passion for strengthening local democracy, promoting sustainable development, and fighting inequality has driven her to step beyond the confines of academia and make an impact on the world that will contribute to ICLD’s work. María José’s dedication to her mission is clear:
“Conducting research aimed at strengthening local democracy and fighting poverty is what drives me forward!” she says.
Her work at ICLD is fuelled by this passion, ensuring that her research and leadership contribute to building a more equitable and sustainable world.