Profile
I am a Psychologist (University of Chile), with a Master’s degree in Family Sciences (University of Santiago de Compostela) and a PhD in Psychology (University of Buenos Aires). Since 2003, I have worked in psychotherapy, teaching, research, and consultancy on issues related to child protection, alternative care, and adoption.
As a university professor, I have taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses at institutions in Argentina (University of Buenos Aires, National University of La Plata), Chile (Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez, University of Chile, Universidad Mayor, Universidad de las Américas), and Spain (Autonomous University of Barcelona). In Chile, I hold the rank of Associate Professor (equivalent to Full Professor), and in Spain, I am accredited as Agregat by AQU Catalunya.
As a specialised consultant, I have collaborated with UNICEF, RELAF, FAI, and various public bodies in Chile and Latin America. In the clinical field, I founded and coordinated GEDIFA (Family Diversity and Care Group), a pioneering initiative in specialised adoption services in Chile (CEAC-UCSH). I also served as the academic lead and lecturer for the Diploma in Adoption (SENAME, 2015–2017), a unique and unprecedented training programme in the region.
I have published scientific articles and technical materials, and I am the author of the book Pasado, presente y futuro de la adopción en Chile (UNICEF, 2025). As a researcher, I have led several FONDECYT/ANID projects. I was awarded both the Beatriu de Pinós Postdoctoral Fellowship (AGAUR–MSCA) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (MSCA, Horizon Europe) at the AFIN Research Group (Autonomous University of Barcelona), where I led the AdoptART project, focused on participatory, creative, and arts-based research with adopted people in Chile and Spain.
I am currently Senior Researcher in the Research Group on Socio-Educational Interventions with Children and Youth (GRISIJ), within the Department of Research Methods and Educational Diagnosis (MIDE), Faculty of Education, University of Barcelona. In addition, I serve on the Editorial Board of Adoption Quarterly.
Publications
Gesteira, S., Salvo Agoglia, I., Villalta, C. & Alfaro, K. (2021). Child Appropriations and Irregular Adoptions: Activism for the “Right to Identity”, Justice, and Reparation in Argentina and Chile. Childhood.
Garcia-Quiroga, M. & Salvo Agoglia, I. (2020). Too Vulnerable to Participate? Challenges for Meaningful Participation in Research With Children in Alternative Care and Adoption. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Salvo Agoglia, I. & Marre, D. (2020). Children Forever: The Search for Origins among Chilean Adults Who Were Adopted. Child & Family Social Work, 25(1), 127-134.
Salvo Agoglia, I. & Alfaro Monsalve, K. (2019). “Irregular Adoptions” in Chile: New Political Narratives About The Right To Know One’s Origins. Children & Society 33(3), 201-212.
