Isabella Duarte Costa, PhD

Dr. Isabella Duarte Costa is an internationally acclaimed researcher and educator specializing in dating, relationships, and human connections. With over 12 years of experience, she bridges academic research, applied psychology, and digital relationship platforms to provide actionable insights on modern dating behaviors, emotional intelligence in relationships, and social connection strategies. She has published extensively and led high-impact projects to improve dating outcomes and interpersonal understanding.

Specialization

Romantic Relationships & Dating Dynamics
Interpersonal Communication
Emotional Intelligence & Social Connection
Behavioral Research in Online Dating
Relationship Education & Coaching

Education

2005–2009: BSc in Psychology, University of São Paulo
2009–2011: MSc in Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Lisbon
2011–2015: PhD in Relationship Psychology, University of Edinburgh

Professional Experience

2015–2018: Relationship Analyst, MatchGroup Research Lab, UK
2018–2022: Senior Researcher & Lecturer in Dating Psychology, University of Barcelona
2022–Present: Director of Dating & Connection Programs, Global Relationship Initiative
Consultant for multiple online dating platforms to optimize user engagement and matchmaking accuracy

Research Cases & Key Projects

Cross-Cultural Online Dating Study (2019–2020): Analyzed user behavior across five continents, identifying that personalized communication prompts increased successful first-date matches by 27%.
Emotional Intelligence Intervention Project (2021): Developed a training module for couples to enhance empathy and conflict resolution, resulting in a 35% improvement in relationship satisfaction metrics across 200 participating pairs.
Dating App Engagement Optimization (2020–2022): Collaborated with major platforms to implement AI-driven match suggestions, leading to a 22% increase in long-term connection retention rates.
Social Connection & Loneliness Study (2018): Conducted a longitudinal study with 1,500 participants, demonstrating that structured social skill workshops reduced reported loneliness scores by 18% over six months.

Notable Quotes

"Successful dating is not just about algorithms; it is about understanding human emotion, communication patterns, and meaningful connection." — Isabella Duarte Costa, PhD

"Our research shows that small improvements in emotional literacy can significantly transform the quality of interpersonal relationships." — Isabella Duarte Costa, PhD

Selected Scientific Publications

Costa, I.D., et al. (2022). "Optimizing Online Dating Interactions: Behavioral Insights and Engagement Outcomes." Journal of Social Psychology, 18(2), 134–156.
Costa, I.D. (2020). "Emotional Intelligence and Relationship Satisfaction in Young Adults." International Journal of Relationship Science, 12(1), 45–67.
Costa, I.D., & Lopez, R. (2018). "Cultural Differences in Romantic Initiation Strategies." Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 49(5), 725–743.

Professional Memberships

International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)
European Network for Social and Emotional Education (ENSEE)
American Psychological Association – Division 43 (Family Psychology)

Interviews, Lectures, and Podcasts

Guest speaker, BBC Radio 4: "Modern Dating Dynamics in the Digital Age"
TEDx Talk: "The Science of Connection: Dating Smarter" (2021)
Contributor, "Love & Psychology Podcast"

Unique Values and Experience

Isabella brings a rare combination of rigorous research methodology, real-world dating analytics, and global program leadership. Her work emphasizes cultural sensitivity, evidence-based interventions, and practical strategies that empower individuals to form authentic connections. Her projects consistently produce measurable improvements in relationship satisfaction, engagement, and emotional literacy.