Ricardo's previous work in the Development field includes voluntary work for one year in East Timor as a member of a Portuguese NGO and, Programme Manager for East Timor and Angola and Deputy Manager of the same NGO. His academic background spans from Economics and Econometrics to Development Studies. His current doctoral research examines the impact exposure to protracted violence and conflict produce on the labour market equilibrium in post-conflict settings, mostly focusing on labour supply. Other research interests include Poverty Reduction and Vulnerability, Impact Assessment, Microfinance, NGOs and the Institutional Economics of Aid.