Doctoral Candidate Diana Valentina Pernett Plazas

I am a doctoral candidate in sociocultural anthropology at the Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies at Heidelberg University, where I am supervised by Prof. Dr. Annette Hornbacher. My PhD project is funded by a DAAD-GSSP scholarship and explores the intersections of environmental justice, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and peasant rights, and political anthropology, with a particular focus on women leaders and environmental activism in Colombia.

My academic journey bridges anthropology, political science, and sociology, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyse political participation and social movements. I hold a BA in Anthropology, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of the Andes (Colombia), an MA in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University (United States), and a Master in Social Sciences from Carlos III University of Madrid (Spain). This interdisciplinary training continues to shape my research, which explores how grassroots actors challenge power structures and reimagine citizenship in conflict-affected, post-peace agreement contexts. 

At UC3M, under the supervision of Professor Martín Portos García, I conducted quantitative political and sociological analyses, culminating in a dissertation on the determinants of protest participation in Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. At Georgetown University, under the guidance of Professor Joanne Rappaport, I conducted archival and ethnographic research on the Colombian peasant movement ANUC, analysing the narrative constructions of sociologist Orlando Fals Borda and peasant leader Moisés Banquett.  was later published and sharpened my interest in participatory action research and historical memory. 

Alongside my academic work, I bring over thirteen years of professional experience at the intersection of international cooperation and social and environmental issues. I have worked with organisations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the National Centre for Historical Memory in Colombia (CNMH), and Indigenous governance bodies (National Organisation of Traditional Indigenous Authorities of Colombia – Gobierno Mayor), contributing to projects on climate governance, biodiversity, human rights, and education across the Americas. My work has involved managing international grants, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and engaging in policy processes linked to global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and UN forums on Indigenous issues.

I am particularly interested in bridging research and practice. My experience in education, human rights, Indigenous rights, and environmental issues has strengthened my commitment to producing knowledge that is not only rigorous, but also accessible and impactful. Whether through academic research, policy engagement, or collaborative projects, I aim to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future grounded in local knowledge and community-led change.

Outside academia, I enjoy music, films, dancing, and acting.