Parreira do Amaral's current research focuses international educational policy and governance issues at various levels and scales. More recently, his work concentrated on the emergence and expansion of a Global Education Industry (GEI) and on how it is transforming conceptualizations of ‘good’ education. His research on (new) providers and policy actors within education aims at analyzing the possible consequences for education research, policy and practice. Beyond discerning particular expressions and manifestations of the GEI phenomenon in international contexts, it also looks into the rationales, processes and impacts of the GEI developments on education systems.

Parreira do Amaral has collaborated to and coordinated several national and international research projects. From 2016 to 2019, he coordinated the ongoing project “YOUNG ADULLLT” (Policies Supporting Young People in their Life Course. A Comparative Perspective of Lifelong Learning and Inclusion in Education and Work in Europe, www.young-adulllt.eu), funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Research Framework. Parreira do Amaral is also member of NESET II (Network of Experts on the Social Aspects of Education) funded by the European Commission

One focus of attention of his research lies on understanding how education institutions and systems are impacted by the relationships between the local, national and international levels, with a particular attention to issues of access to and equity in education.