Milena Rouxinol: “We need to nurture the idea that it is imperative to treat one another well”

 

How did your journey into Law begin?

I never really imagined myself doing anything else. I cannot fully explain why, but the idea of justice has always been very present in the way I see the world. During my degree, I realized that I enjoyed teaching - research came later. I had a professor who, in practical classes, made everything that seemed complex in lectures appear simple: she structured the content, presented it accessibly, and decoded the essence of the message. I was fascinated and remember thinking, “I think I can do this,” transform a rich but somewhat shapeless body of knowledge into something clearer and more intelligible. That idea stayed with me.
At the end of my undergraduate degree, while most of my colleagues went on to join the Bar Association, I knew I did not want to become a lawyer. I chose a postgraduate course in Labour Law, almost by chance. That was when I truly fell in love with the field. Shortly afterwards, I had the opportunity to begin working in Labour Law, and my interest deepened even further, making the progression to a master’s and later a PhD a natural step.

 

What fascinates you about Labour Law?

Labour Law governs a very particular relationship. From a legal standpoint, it is a relationship between two parties, like many others, but it has something additional: work directly involves the worker as a person. Work cannot be separated from the individual who performs it, which introduces a strong personal dimension into the employment relationship. At the same time, the worker is structurally in a more vulnerable or unequal position vis-à-vis the employer. This creates very specific legal challenges.
Today, Labour Law is often portrayed as a tool serving economic competitiveness or crisis management. I believe that, if that function exists, it is merely secondary. Its core purpose lies elsewhere: protection, care, and balance within the employment relationship. It is this human dimension, almost ethical in nature, that captivates me and keeps me deeply connected to this field.

 

In the world of work, we have seen major transformations, such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and new forms of employment. How can Labour Law keep up with these challenges?

Labour Law is relatively young - it developed mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially focused on the factory setting, it gradually expanded to new environments and now regulates realities such as remote work, digital performance monitoring, and platform work.
However, these transformations occur at a dizzying pace, and legislating well is almost intrinsically incompatible with legislating quickly. At times, lawmakers move forward somewhat experimentally, adjusting and correcting later when the political context allows. Overall, although not always with the desired speed or precision, there is a clear effort to adapt. One only needs to look at the Portuguese Labour Code, in force since 2009, which has already been amended more than twenty times. There is, indeed, a clear attempt to modernise Labour Law; whether that is always fully achieved is another matter.

 

“We seek to find a balance between care and the academic rigor necessary to properly prepare students for their professional lives.”

 

What distinguishes the teaching of Law at Universidade Católica Portuguesa?

We offer high-quality education supported by a highly qualified faculty. There is a strong concern with the practical dimension, effectively preparing students for the professional challenges they will face. This is reflected not only in our teaching methodologies but also in initiatives that connect students with the professional world, such as partnerships with various institutions, including law firms.
The international dimension has also been strengthened, with courses taught in English, which helps attract international students and prepares our own students for international academic and professional paths. Additionally, the institution has a particularly welcoming profile. In a context where legal education has become increasingly demanding, we strive to support and guide our students, seeking a balance between care and the academic rigor necessary to prepare them adequately for professional life.

 

“I am convinced, not only as a professor but as a citizen, that tolerance is fostered essentially through knowledge.”

 

What is your main concern as a lecturer? What do you seek to convey to your students?

In terms of technical knowledge, I aim to convey rigor, always in a clear, structured, and accessible way. Moreover, particularly because I teach in an area that allows it, I try to awaken social awareness in students, sensitising them to the concrete reality of employment relationships, something many have not yet fully experienced, either due to their age or background. I try, with balance, to show them that reality is broader and more complex than their immediate environment.
In my relationship with students, above all, I try to present myself as a normal, fallible, approachable person. I believe that this humanisation contributes to a climate of trust and proximity, enabling students to feel they can rely on me throughout their academic journey.

 

“Anti-Discrimination Law exists precisely to counter the entrenchment of social prejudice.”

 

You also teach Anti-Discrimination Law. Why is this topic so relevant in labour relations?

The Labour Code itself includes a chapter dedicated to the principle of equality and non-discrimination, and at the European Union level there are several directives specifically addressing this matter. In employment relationships, something absolutely essential is at stake: work. Beyond personal dignity, which is always affected in cases of discrimination, a discriminatory decision may mean exclusion from the labour market or loss of livelihood.
Reality shows that multiple forms of discrimination persist in the workplace, from gender pay gaps to discrimination based on religion, origin, or other personal characteristics. Anti-Discrimination Law is largely built upon these concrete situations and seeks to establish clear limits on practices that perpetuate inequality.

 

How do you address these issues with students and promote a culture of tolerance?

I am convinced, not only as a professor but as a citizen, that tolerance is fostered essentially through knowledge. Combating misinformation is crucial to reducing prejudice, stereotypes, and simplistic readings of reality.
In teaching Anti-Discrimination Law, one of the most effective tools is working with real cases. By analysing concrete situations, students are confronted with their immediate perceptions and the legal responses developed over time. We all have automatic thought patterns; what may seem banal or even “understandable” is often not legally acceptable. Anti-Discrimination Law exists precisely to counter the entrenchment of social prejudice. This critical confrontation is, in my view, a powerful instrument of both civic and academic education.

 

You are the Ethics Ombudsperson at Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto. What is the importance of this role within a university?

There is a dedicated communication channel through which any member of the community may report alleged breaches of ethical rules. The University is governed by a Code of Ethics and Conduct, a concise document based on structural principles broad enough to cover a wide range of situations.
The Ethics Ombudsperson does not hold decision-making powers. Nevertheless, the role is relevant both for those who submit a complaint, by providing an identifiable, accessible person who ensures confidentiality, active listening, and impartiality - and for the person reported, who can present their version in a non-hierarchical setting before any formal development. This seems essential from the standpoint of transparency and the proper functioning of the institution.

 

How can we contribute to a healthy ethical academic community?

We need to nurture the idea that we must treat one another well. It is not only about respect but also about kindness and care. We often do not know the struggles and personal challenges of those on the other side, and small behaviours can act as emotional triggers. A significant portion of conflicts could be avoided if people communicated in a more open, careful, and constructive way.

 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy doing puzzles. It requires attention and patience but allows me to completely disconnect from other concerns. It keeps me engaged enough not to, for instance, check my phone, while activating different areas of thinking than those I use at work. I also run almost every day. Having a highly intellectual and demanding profession, I feel that physical activity enhances my productivity, focus, and - even if I may say so -self-esteem. I also read a great deal outside the legal field. I enjoy novels based on true stories, or stories that could plausibly be true.

 

Which book or author would you recommend?

This year, on a friend’s recommendation, I discovered the work of Portuguese author Dulce Maria Cardoso. I became captivated and read almost all her work; it was a very significant discovery. I would particularly highlight O Retorno and Eliete.

These books portray ordinary people, with strengths and vulnerabilities, and show how human behaviour can be told and interpreted in multiple ways, depending on perspective. What may initially seem easily condemnable gains depth when narrated from the viewpoint of the person who lives and feels it. This ability to place ourselves in someone else’s position, to understand the complexity of human decisions, and to cultivate empathy and tolerance, is something I found especially powerful in Dulce Maria Cardoso’s work, alongside extraordinarily beautiful writing and a subtle, charming sense of humour between the lines.

 

---

Pessoas em Destaque é uma rubrica de entrevistas da Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centro Regional do Porto.