Sara Portell

Sara Portell is a PhD Researcher in Psychology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, focusing on the intersections of emotions, well-being, and artificial intelligence. With extensive experience in product and user experience leadership, Sara held positions as VP of Product and VP of User Experience & Research at Unit4, and as Head of Global UX/Product Research at Shopify, where strategic foundations for international research were developed. Prior roles at Expedia Group included Director of Global UX/Product Research and Senior Manager for Global Product/UX Insights, leading efforts in consumer insights and behavioral research to drive product innovation. Education credentials include a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Sciences from The London School of Economics and additional executive programs in digital transformation and international business from prestigious institutions. Currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Sara aims to bridge the gap between psychological insights and responsible AI design.