Maria Ferreira's research focus on exploring the relationship of design and the ‘publics’, with special interest in urban governance and new institutional forms like public innovation labs. Her interest is to identify and understand the different interactions, collaborations and relations among citizens, activists and governments, and how those influence public policy and the idea of governance, particularly in the Ibero American context.

Maria holds a MA. in Creative Sustainability (Aalto University) and BA. in Fashion and Textile design (Design School Uruguay). She has been employed as lecturer at the Design School in Uruguay (2011-2013) and currently she is teaching assistant at Aalto University in the courses Sustainability Politics and Designing for Urban Governance and Services.