She holds a degree in Art History (2024) from School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon, FLUL. Currently Rafaela da Fonseca is a Master student in History of Art and Heritage at the same institution.

She began collaborating with the hub Az – Azulejo Research Network as part of her 3rd year internship at the Querubim Lapa Study Centre - Cultural Association. Her work, entitled Inventariação das obras cerâmicas in situ, da autoria de Querubim Lapa (década de 1950) / Inventory of ceramic works in situ by Querubim Lapa (1950s), focused mainly on the research and inventory of the artist's works that remain in situ in Lisbon.