Professor Mónica López López

Profile

Mónica’s research examines how inequalities affect decisions and services within the child welfare system, with special attention to marginalized groups such as migrant children, children with diverse sexual and gender identities, and those from specific ethnic or racial backgrounds. She uses participatory research methods that actively involve children and youth, moving beyond the traditional view of them as passive subjects. Instead, her approach recognizes young people as collaborators who help shape all stages of the research process.

Research

Publications

López López, M., ten Brummelaar, M., Mallon, G.P., & Paul, J.C (2025). LGBTQIA+ youth leaving care: Exploring challenges and social support in three countries. In Magalhães, E & Attar-Schwartz, S. (Eds.), Is Someone There for You? Social Support of Young People in and after Residential Care. Routledge.

Sletten, M. S., Ellingsen, I. T., Bjørkquist, C., & López López, M. (2025). Balancing equality and equity in decision-making practice: Using standardised tools in child welfare services. Children and Youth Services Review, 172, 108206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108206

Elias, S., López López, M., ten Brummelaar, M., Hibiso, H.B. (2024). Sources of resilience for refugee youth in Ethiopia: Exploring the role of education, work, community, religion, and family. Child Abuse & Neglect

Middel, F., López López, M., Fluke, J.D., Witte, S., Biehal, N., & Grietens, H. (2024). Who is involved in child protection investigations? The relationship between gender, ethnicity/migration background, and contacts between parents and caseworkers during investigations and assessments. Children and Youth Services Review, 163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107774

López López, M., Martínez-Jothar, G., ten Brummelaar, M., Parra, L. A., San Román, B., & Mallon G. P. (2024) “They told me that you can be with whomever you want, be who you are”: Perceptions of LGBTQ+ youth in residential care regarding the social support provided by child welfare professionals. Children and Youth Services Review, 159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107498

López López, M., ten Brummelaar, M., & Wieldraaijer-Vincent, L. (2023). Reimagining Participation of Young People in Decision Making in Contexts of Vulnerability. In B. Taylor, J.D. Fluke, A. Shlonsky, E. Keddell, A. Whittaker and C. Killick (Eds), Sage Handbook of Decision Making, Assessment and Risk in Social Work. SAGE

López López, M., Mallon, G. P., & Wieldraaijer-Vincent, L. (2022). Creating safe and welcoming residential care placements for LGBTQIA+ youth. In J. K. Whittaker, L. Holmes, J. Fernández Del Valle & S. James (Eds), Revitalizing Residential Care for Children and Youth: Cross-National Trends and Challenges (pp. 321-335). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197644300.003.0022

Expertise