Know our Distinguished Voices
Prof. Dr. Marta Guiterrez Sastre
Vice-Rector for Students, Inclusion, Equality and Social Commitment of University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. Marta Guiterrez Sastre
Vice-Rector for Students, Inclusion, Equality and Social Commitment of University of Salamanca
Associate Professor. Her lines of interest are the study of social inequality, especially focused on the areas of gender, health and immigration. She is part of the research group "Health and Population Dynamics" of the sociology department. She teaches classes in the Master of "Interdisciplinary Gender Studies" and in the "Public Services and Social Policies" Master. Lines of research: Social inequality; gender; health; Welfare State Current Teaching: Social Structure and Inequalities (Gr Sociology); Gender Inequalities (Master Gender); Project Development (Master Public Services and Social Services); Health Inequality (Master SPPS); Sociology of Consumption (Gr Sociology)
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Corchado Rodríguez
Rector of the University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Corchado Rodríguez
Rector of the University of Salamanca
Juan Manuel Corchado Rodríguez has been serving as the rector of the University of Salamanca since May 2024. He is a distinguished academic and researcher, holding the position of Full Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. He leads the BISITE Research Group, specializing in bioinformatics, intelligent systems, and educational technology, and coordinates the IoT Digital Innovation Hub. Additionally, he is a visiting professor at institutions such as the Osaka Institute of Technology in Japan and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. His extensive career includes roles as Vice-Rector for Research (2013–2017), Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Director of the Science Park at the University of Salamanca. Internationally, he has contributed to significant initiatives, including EUROPOL’s Advisory Group on Online Terrorist Propaganda. His research spans fields like artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and IoT, making him a key figure in technological innovation and higher education leadership.
Carlos M. García Carbayo
Mayor of the Salamanca City Council
Carlos M. García Carbayo
Mayor of the Salamanca City Council
Carlos M. García Carbayo serves as the Mayor of Salamanca, a position he has held since 2018 and was re-elected in 2023. He is deeply committed to fostering cultural heritage and urban development, holding the presidency of the "Grupo de Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad de España". Under his leadership, Salamanca has focused on innovative urban planning, sustainability, and cultural tourism, reflecting its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage City. Trained in law with a degree earned in 1986, García Carbayo also has experience in administrative and secondary education roles within the Castilla y León region. His leadership extends internationally through collaborations to promote Salamanca’s cultural and educational initiatives globally, aligning with sustainable and forward-thinking urban policies.
MEET THE ICSJSD 2024 Speakers
Dr. Helen Maher
Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Galway
Dr. Helen Maher
Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Galway
Speech topic:
From Margin to Centre: A Social Justice Approach to Women's Rights, Integrating Theory and Practice'
Dr Helen Maher is Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Galway. In that capacity she currently leads an EDI strategy and programme of work focused on four pillars: gender, race, sexual violence and harassment and universal design and accessibility. Helen’s experience has primarily been in the field of equality and social justice, working in a wide variety of contexts in higher education, civil society organisations and consultancy work. Helen holds an MA in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford, and a PhD on the Gendered nature of the Transition to Democracy in South Africa, from Dublin City University. She is co-editor of a forthcoming book Transforming Gender Equality and Inclusion within Higher Education in Ireland – Contemporary Perspectives to be published by Palgrave Macmillan in Spring 2025. Helen has substantial experience in curriculum design, lecturing and programme leadership pertaining to social and political theory, policy and practice to progress equality. She has developed, implemented and evaluated equality projects under the Equal Programme, the Equality for Women Measure, Erasmus+ strategic partnerships and Irish Aid. These projects have focused on engaging with diverse constituencies to address issues of gender, citizenship, identity, equality, inclusion and social change. Helen also designed programmes under the EU Grundtvig programme examining equality, inclusion and social justice concepts and pedagogical practices for participants working in the field of education across Europe.Prof. Dr. Jessica OwleY
Professor of Law at University of MIAMI
Prof. Dr. Jessica OwleY
Professor of Law at University of MIAMI
Speech topic:
Human and Nonhuman Rights to a Healthy Environment
Dr. Jessica Owley is a Professor of Law and Director of the Environmental Law Program at the School of Law, where she also holds affiliations with programs in Business Compliance, Social Justice, and Human Rights. She has a secondary appointment in Environmental Science and Policy at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences and serves on the Faculty Advisory Committee for the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. Previously, she held faculty roles at SUNY Buffalo and Pace Law School, where she specialized in environmental law and policy. Dr. Owley has received multiple awards, including the Mary E. Doyle Award for outstanding service, scholarship, and mentorship. She has authored influential publications, such as a Morrison Prize-winning paper on sustainability and environmental law, and has secured numerous grants for research on conservation and climate adaptation. An active member of leading environmental and legal networks, she participates in groups like the Academics for Climate Advocacy and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.Mehrangiz Kar
Attorney, Writer and Human Rights activist
Mehrangiz Kar
Attorney, Writer and Human Rights activistSpeech topic:
International Policies and Human Rights
Mehrangiz Kar is an attorney, writer, and activist working toward the promotion of democracy, rule of law, and human rights within the framework of Islamic law in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the revolution in 1979. She was a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard (2004-05), as well as a fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (2005-06). She has also been recognized as a Scholar at Risk. In April 2000, following her participation in a symposium in Berlin, she was arrested and imprisoned on charges of acting against the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Three of the five charges against her are pending, for which she may again be arrested upon her return. She was the 2004 recipient of the annual Human Rights First (formerly Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights) Human Rights Award and in 2002 received the Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize (France) for a lawyer working to promote women’s human rights, awarded jointly by the Human Rights Institute of the Bar of Bordeaux and the European Lawyers’ Union.Prof. Dr. Mercedes Siles Molina
Professor at University of Málaga; Former Director General of ANECA
Prof. Dr. Mercedes Siles Molina
Professor at University of Málaga; Former Director General of ANECA
She is a full academic member of the Academia Malagueña de Ciencias (Malaga Academy of Sciences) and is part of the Advisory Board of the Instituto Hermes. She served as the Director of the Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación (National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation) from 2020 to 2023. She holds a diploma in National Defense Culture from CESEDEN (Higher Center for National Defense Studies). Among the recognitions she has received are the "Dosta with the Heart" Award in 2020; being named one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in 2019 and 2020 as an Academic and Researcher; and the Premio Farola 2019 in Science. She is a Professor of Algebra at the University of Málaga. She has also served as the President of the Comité Español de Matemáticas (Spanish Mathematics Committee) and as Vice President of the Real Sociedad Matemática Española (Royal Spanish Mathematical Society). As a researcher, she has extensive international experience. She has worked on promoting the dissemination of science and mathematics as an essential part of culture. She has been involved in programs aimed at enhancing women’s leadership, including co-creating and directing the steMatEsElla program. She has conceptualized and curated the exhibitions "The Flavor of Mathematics" and "Parallel Universes in Dialogue". Additionally, she has published articles, stories, and poetry
Dr. Wannes Vandenbussche
Assistant Professor of Civil Procedure at Ghent University
Dr. Wannes Vandenbussche
Assistant Professor of Civil Procedure at Ghent University
Speech topic:
The role of apologies in civil proceedings: Bridging two trends in the Western legal tradition
Wannes Vandenbussche is a civil procedure professor at Ghent University (Belgium). His main research interests include domestic, comparative, European procedure, evidence, and ADR. His teaching involves courses on the same topics. Wannes studied law at KU Leuven (Belgium), the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (France), and Tilburg University (the Netherlands). He was an associate research scholar at Yale Law School (B.A.E.F. and Fulbright fellow) during the academic year 2017-18. Wannes is also an attorney-at-law at the Brussels Bar and an accredited mediator in civil and commercial matters.Prof. Dr. Maria Victòria Forns i Fernández
Professor at Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Prof. Dr. Maria Victòria Forns i Fernández
Professor at Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Prof. Maria Victòria Forns i Fernández is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Services at Universitat Rovira i Virgili. She specializes in social work, focusing on the intersection of social services, family dynamics, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Her academic and research interests include the social impacts of gender-based violence, family intervention strategies, and social work practices in protecting victims of violence. She is actively involved in research related to risk factors in femicide cases and the challenges of intervention with families of victims. Profª. Dra. Forns i Fernández has also contributed to the development of social work curricula, emphasizing evidence-based interventions and ethical practices in social services. Areas of Expertise:
- Social Work and Social Services
- Family Intervention Strategies
- Gender-Based Violence
- Victim Support and Protection
Prof. Roja Fazaeli
Professor of Law and Islamic Studies
Prof. Roja Fazaeli
Professor of Law and Islamic Studies
Speech topic: Muslim Women's Access to Justice in Europe Roja Fazaeli is Established Professor of Law and Islamic Studies at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway. Professor Fazaeli has published widely on the subjects of women's rights in Iran, the relationship between human rights and religion, women religious authorities, and Islamic feminisms. As recipient of a European Research Council Consolidator Grant she is the principal investigator of a five-year project (2023-2028) on Building Conceptual and Methodological Expertise for the Study of Gender, Agency, and Authority in Islam (BILQIS). Professor Fazaeli is a member of a Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions funded project investigating the nature of hate in society (NETHATE). She additionally serves as the chairperson of the board of directors of the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Roja is also member of board of directors for Front Line Defenders, Scholars at Risk Europe, and Iran Academia, as well as being a member of the editorial board of Religion and Human Rights. Prior to joining University of Galway, Roja was Professor in Islamic Civilisations at Trinity College Dublin, where she was a Fellow of the College, and served as the Warden of Trinity Hall, a residential learning community of more than 900 students.
Sonsoles Prieto Antona
Lawyer. Coordinator of the Gender Violence Commission and Member of the ICASAL Equality Commission
Sonsoles Prieto Antona
Lawyer. Coordinator of the Gender Violence Commission and Member of the ICASAL Equality Commission
legal professional of the Salamanca Bar association (ICASAL) for the reason that 1989 Attorney for the office Shift (and the Violence Shift) Gender). Member of the Subcommittee on Violence against ladies of the wellknown Council of Spanish legal professionals. Member of the ICASAL Equality fee. Patron of the “Torre del Clavero” foundation of the Illustrious university of Salamanca lawyers due to the fact 2017. Professor within the master's degree in permanent education in regulation and Procurement USAL-ICASAL. Rreputation from ICASAL for her paintings as a Shift of office, as well as her devoted dedication, in an exemplary way, at the carrier of unfastened Justice” Medal for the carrier of the legal career of Castilla y León “awarded by means of the Council of the Bar of Castilla y León in popularity to her paintings as a public defender, in addition to to the willpower provided, in an exemplary manner, to the provider of Justice free”
Prof. Dr. Josep Ramon Fuentes i Gasó
Professor of Administrative Law, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Prof. Dr. Josep Ramon Fuentes i Gasó
Professor of Administrative Law, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Josep Ramon Fuentes Gasó Bachelor of Laws (1991) and PhD in Law from the Autonomous University of Barcelona-UAB (1999). Member of the Research Group on Territory, Citizenship, and Sustainability at the University of Rovira i Virgili, in the Center for Environmental Law Studies of Tarragona (CEDAT). Participant in various national and regional research projects in the fields of local and environmental law. He has conducted research stays at several institutions, including: the Scuola per il perfezionamento del Diritto Amministrativo at the University of Bologna, Italy (1991-1993); the Forchungsinstitut für Öffentliche Verwaltung in Speyer, Germany (1995, 2008); the Università degli Studi di Lecce, Italy (2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006); and Université de Paris II, Panthéon-Assas, Paris, France (2004). Among his most recent publications, those focused on local and urban law are particularly noteworthy.
Prof. Dr. Kamran Matin
Professor at University of Sussex, UK
Prof. Dr. Kamran Matin
Professor at University of Sussex, UK
Speech topic:
The ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Movement, Collective Rights, and Iranian leftists.
Kamran Matin is a Reader in International Relations at Sussex University, UK, specialising in historical sociology, international theory, nationalism, and Iranian and Kurdish politics and history. His current research focuses on the theory of ‘uneven and combined development’, nation-state formation, and non-Western colonialism. He is the co-author of Queer Identities in Migration: Iranian Journeys (Bristol University Press, forthcoming), the author of Recasting Iranian Modernity: International Relations and Social Change (Routledge, 2013), and the co-editor of Historical Sociology and World History: Uneven and Combined Development over the Longue Durée (Rowman & Littlefield International, 2016). He has also published extensively on Kurdish and Iranian politics, including numerous articles and op-eds. He is currently a visiting fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA).Prof. Efrem Yildiz Sadak
Full Professor at University of Salamanca
Prof. Efrem Yildiz Sadak
Full Professor at University of Salamanca
Speech topic: STRONG WOMEN IN THE ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Efrem Yildiz Sadak is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Philology, Department of Hebrew and Aramaic Studies, of the University of Salamanca. He is specialised in Aramaic history, language and literature. He is a member of the Commission of the Degree in Hebrew and Aramaic Studies. He is a committee member of several scientific journals, the (co-)author of books and articles in journals on Aramaic language, literature, history and culture of the Aramaic-speaking peoples. Prof Yildiz served as Vice-Rector for International Relations at the University of Salamanca from 2017 to 2022.
Prof. Lorenzo Mateo Bujosa Vadell
Full Professor at University of Salamanca
Prof. Lorenzo Mateo Bujosa Vadell
Full Professor at University of Salamanca
Professor (Full Professor) of Procedural Law at the University of Salamanca. Bachelor and Doctor from the same University. President of the Ibero-American Institute of Procedural Law, member of the International Association of Procedural Law and the International Association of Criminal Law. He was Research Fellow for the Training of Teachers and Research Staff of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (1989-1992), Professor of Procedural Law (1994-2007) at the same University. Professor of Procedural Law at the Faculty of Law, in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and in Education and Tourism at the University of Salamanca. He teaches postgraduate, doctoral and master's degrees in various European or Ibero-American Universities such as Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Italy, France, Portugal or Spain, among others.
Lorena Zenteno Villa
University of Miami School of Law
Lorena Zenteno Villa
University of Miami School of Law
Lorena Zenteno is a Chilean attorney with experience in human rights and environmental issues. She is a former member of the judiciary in Chile. Since 2015 she has been a Law Clerk for the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, drafting judgments for the Justices, mainly in environmental cases. Lorena is a member of the Environment and Human Rights Commission of the National Association of the Chilean Judiciary, dedicated to train judges and discussing climate change and environmental impacts on human rights. She was a senior researcher for the former UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Karima Bennoune, from September 2018 until September 2021. Supported and assisted the UN Special Rapporteur to fulfil his mandate to the UN General Assembly and UN Human Rights Council. Lorena Zenteno got her LL.M. in Environmental Law from the University of Davis, California, in 2020, where she focused specifically on the intersections between human rights, cultural rights, and the environment. She also holds a master’s in business law from the University Pompeu Fabra, in Barcelona, Spain. Lorena’s primary research interests include the human rights dimensions of climate change and environmental impacts, climate change justice, gender, and the judiciary’s role in the climate change crisis. Currently, Lorena is undertaking her Ph.D. in Law at the University of Edinburgh. Since January 2022, she has been working as a senior researcher for the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, focusing on climate, energy and gender justice.
Prof. Anabelén Casares Marcos
Professor of Administrative Law, University of León
Prof. Anabelén Casares Marcos
Professor of Administrative Law, University of León
Prof. Anabelén Casares Marcos is a distinguished Professor of Administrative Law at the University of León. She specializes in the field of administrative law, focusing on its intersection with constitutional principles and public policy. Her academic work explores the application of administrative law in modern legal systems and its role in ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability within public institutions. She is also a Magistrate of the Constitutional Court, contributing her extensive knowledge to constitutional jurisprudence and public law. Her research interests include the legal challenges of public administration, the protection of fundamental rights, and the relationship between administrative law and constitutional law. Areas of Expertise:
- Administrative Law
- Constitutional Law
- Public Policy
- Fundamental Rights Protection
Prof. Esther B. del Brío González
Professor at University of Salamanca and Senator
Prof. Esther B. del Brío González
Professor at University of Salamanca and Senator
She holds a doctorate in Economics and commercial enterprise with an first rate USAL doctoral award. Master in Finance from the college of Cambridge. she is an professional in corporate governance, statistics theories, CSR, innovation, gender and economics. She has more than fifty high-impact courses, has given conferences and seminars at national and foreign universities, and has taught in numerous master's tiers in business and cultural and heritage management. She is the author of the challenge towards gender violence “A kiss at the forehead” of the college of Salamanca, which includes a image novel, two traveling exhibitions, a theatrical version and a musical award for “Equality Alumni-USAL”. She is also part of the ladies docs venture at the university of Salamanca or The forest of economy, a financial schooling mission for youngsters. She lately posted the e-book “economic Mosaics: Gender and financial system” to disseminate clinical outcomes on the invisibility of ladies within the economic system and the silent revolution that she has damaged with that invisibility. She is also a Senator of the Senate of Spain. within the Senate he has held the positions of public carrier spokesperson (XII Legislature and deputy in the and XIV) and the observe Paper on the regulation of latest technological and disruptive realities in the XIV legislature. She has additionally been a speaker for the popular parliamentary organization of draft laws 6/2020 regulating positive components of electronic consider services in the Senate of Spain, in addition to regulation 7/2020 on the virtual transformation of the financial gadget.
Prof. Hilda Eleonora Vallet
Professor of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Prof. Hilda Eleonora Vallet
Professor of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Regular Adjunct Professor, Department of Professional Practice Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She holds a PhD in Law from the University of Salamanca. Registered Mediator-Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Registration 3,888 Director of Research Project DeCyT 1438. University of Buenos Aires. UBACYT Research Project Director Res.1041/18. Buenos Aires' University Prof. Research-oriented course: "Elderly Law", UBA Law School.
Fariba Ehsan
President of the Iran Human Rights Association in Spain
Fariba Ehsan
President of the Iran Human Rights Association in Spain
Speech topic:
The role of mothers and women fighting for human rights and justice in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fariba Ehsan has lived in Madrid, Spain since 1995 and has a long history of involvement in human rights work. Since 1990, she worked as a volunteer for the Spanish NGO Solidarios para el Desarrollo, where she remained active until 2007. Since 2009, she has been part of Amnesty International, focusing on issues of discrimination, immigrant rights and various human rights campaigns. That same year, she and other Iranians who have been fighting for many years to bring democracy and human rights to Iran founded the Iranian Association for Human Rights in Spain. (Currently as president of the AIPDH) The main objective of the Association is to raise international awareness about the situation in Iran and other parts of the world. Her activities are not limited to Iranian issues, but she also contributes to broader human rights initiatives, including her recent participation in WISE (Women’s Independent and Sustainable Equality) in Barcelona in 2024 and as a member of the juries at the Fedcomed festival (8th edition of the International Film Festival for Democratic Memory). Her work embodies a sustained commitment to equality and freedom, particularly through campaigns and collaborative efforts aimed at empowering marginalized communities in Spain and supporting the freedom of women and activists in Iran.Ana Rodriguez Garcia
Lawyer of the Advisory Council of the Principality of Asturias
Ana Rodriguez Garcia
Lawyer of the Advisory Council of the Principality of AsturiasMember of the Association of Women in the Public Sector (MSP) Ana Rodríguez García is a lawyer at the Consejo Consultivo del Principado de Asturias (Advisory Council of the Principality of Asturias). She is an active member of the Asociación Mujeres en el Sector Público (Association of Women in the Public Sector), a group dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women within public administration. In her legal career, she focuses on providing expert advice on various matters, particularly addressing issues related to gender equality, the legal protection of women, and combating violence against women. Rodríguez García also engages in public discussions, participating in interviews and events to share her expertise on justice and women's rights【32†source】【33†source】【34†source】.
Prof. Dr. Patricia Sanchez Holgado
President of AMIT of Castilla y León
Prof. Dr. Patricia Sanchez Holgado
President of AMIT of Castilla y León
Professor of Sociology and Communication. University of Salamanca. Patricia Sánchez-Holgado holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Salamanca (2021). She holds a degree in Advertising from the Complutense University of Madrid (2000), a Master's Degree in Teacher Training for Compulsory Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Training and Language Teaching (2020), a Master's Degree in Scientific Culture from the University of Oviedo (2019), a Master's Degree in Big Data from the Pontifical University of Salamanca (2017) and a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Management from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (2007). She is an assistant professor at the University of Salamanca and a researcher member of the Audiovisual Content Observatory (OCA), a Research Group of Excellence and a Consolidated Research Unit of the Regional Government of Castilla y León (Spain) (https://www.ocausal.es/). She has extensive professional experience outside the academic field, working in companies in the communication and advertising sectors, among others. She is an active member of several professional associations and organizations: Spanish Association of Scientific Communication (AECC), Association of Political Communication (ACOP), Spanish Association of Communication Research (AE-IC), and Association of Women Researchers and Technologists (AMIT).
Prof. Dr. Ana Margarida Simões Gaudêncio
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (Portugal)
Prof. Dr. Ana Margarida Simões Gaudêncio
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (Portugal)
Ana Margarida Simões Gaudêncio (PhD in Law - Philosophy of Law) is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (Portugal), an integrated researcher and member of the Coordinating Board of UCILeR (University of Coimbra Institute for Legal Research), and a founding member of the Portuguese Association for Theory and Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy (the Portuguese section of the International Association for Legal and Social Philosophy - IVR). Her main research and teaching areas are Philosophy of Law, Theory of Law, and Methodology of Law, with a focus on Critical Legal Studies, Tolerance and Law, Multiculturalism and Law, Human Rights Law, Ethics and Law, and Migration Law. She has given conferences in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, and the United States, and has participated in various research projects. She has published two monographs: Entre o centro e periferia: a perspectivação ideológico-política da dogmática jurídica e da decisão judicial no Critical Legal Studies Movement (Rio de Janeiro, Lumen Juris, 2013) and O intervalo da tolerância nas fronteiras da juridicidade: fundamentos e condições de possibilidade da projecção jurídica de uma (re)construção normativamente substancial da exigência de tolerância (Instituto Jurídico da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Coimbra, 2019), as well as several articles and book chapters in both Portuguese and international publications.
Isabel María Prieto Martín
Inspector, UFAM (Unidad de Familia y Mujer), National Police, Salamanca
Isabel María Prieto Martín
Inspector, UFAM (Unidad de Familia y Mujer), National Police, Salamanca
Isabel Mª Prieto Martín is an Inspector with the UFAM (Family and Women’s Unit) of the National Police in Salamanca. With extensive experience in law enforcement, she specializes in handling cases related to gender-based violence, domestic abuse, and crimes involving vulnerable groups. She plays a crucial role in investigating and supporting victims of violence, working closely with other agencies to ensure the protection and rights of women and families. Her expertise in criminal investigations and her commitment to social justice make her a key figure in the fight against gender violence within her community. Areas of Expertise:
- Gender-based violence investigations
- Victim support and protection
- Law enforcement and criminal justice
Miryam Rodríguez López
Deputy Mayor of Salamanca; Councilor for Family and Equal Opportunities
Miryam Rodríguez López
Deputy Mayor of Salamanca; Councilor for Family and Equal Opportunities
Miryam Rodríguez López serves as the Deputy Mayor of Salamanca and holds the position of Councilor for Family and Equal Opportunities. She is actively involved in promoting initiatives aimed at fostering gender equality and supporting vulnerable populations within the city. Her work focuses on developing and implementing policies to combat gender-based violence and enhance opportunities for families and marginalized groups. In her role, she collaborates closely with various institutions, organizations, and community stakeholders to advance social equality and provide resources for those in need. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Salamanca's commitment to inclusivity and support for women and families. Areas of Expertise:
- Gender equality policies
- Family support and social inclusion
- Combating gender-based violence
Prof. Dr. Montserrat de Hoyos Sancho
Professor of Procedural Law, University of Valladolid
Prof. Dr. Montserrat de Hoyos Sancho
Professor of Procedural Law, University of Valladolid
She was the Director of the Institute of European Studies – Jean Monnet Center of Excellence – at the University of Valladolid from 2013 to 2017. She balanced her academic duties with serving as a Substitute Judge at the Zamora Provincial Court – Civil and Criminal Chamber – from 2010 to 2017. She has coordinated the Official Master's Program and PhD Program in European Integration for many years. She was also the co-director of the Revista de Estudios Europeos (European Studies Journal). She has undertaken numerous research stays at internationally recognized institutions, including: the Max-Planck Institute of Criminal Law in Freiburg, Harvard Law School, University of Bologna, University of Freiburg, University of Berlin, University of Göttingen, University of Vienna, University of Lisbon, and the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg, among others. She is a member of several research groups and some of the most important international associations specializing in the study of European and comparative procedural law. She has participated in various European research projects obtained through competitive processes, notably: the AGIS Project on the rights of defendants within the European Union and the Action GRANT on European Civil Procedural Law. Since 2007, she has been the Principal Investigator on several National R&D&i Projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. She is currently co-directing the project titled "Criminal Procedure in the European Union: Analysis and Proposals." She has collaborated as an invited speaker at numerous specialized courses and seminars for Judges and Prosecutors, organized by the Ministry of Justice and the General Council of the Judiciary, both in Spain and in various European and Latin American countries. Notably, she has participated in the Advanced Judicial Cooperation Course for Specialist Prosecutors, organized by the State Public Prosecutor's Office. She has also taught courses and given lectures at national and international Bar Associations on topics within her area of expertise. She has been an invited speaker at over 100 national and international conferences, hosted by national, European, and American institutions. She has delivered lectures and taught at undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels as a guest professor at a wide range of Spanish and foreign universities. She is the author of numerous publications on criminal procedure and civil procedure in Spain, Europe, and internationally, along with other topics that also include the general part of procedural law.
Prof. Dr. Paz Menéndez Sebastián
Professor of Labour Law. University of Oviedo
Prof. Dr. Paz Menéndez Sebastián
Professor of Labour Law. University of Oviedo
UNIOVI Equality Unit Delegate
Obeidah Sharar Sharifi
Human rights activist
Obeidah Sharar Sharifi
Human rights activistSpeech topic: Forgotten Women in Afghanistan She graduated with a bachelor's degree in law and a master's degree in criminology, and from 2016 until the fall of Afghanistan (October 15, 2021) as: - Director of the final prosecution against drugs - Pursuing the elimination of violence against women with the Afghan General Secretary, Gender researcher with IDLO and IRC.
Prof. Dr. Arturo Álvarez Alarcón
Professor of Procedural Law, University of Cádiz
Prof. Dr. Arturo Álvarez Alarcón
Professor of Procedural Law, University of Cádiz
Professor of Procedural Law at the University of Cádiz, after having been an Associate Professor of Procedural Law at the Universities of Salamanca and Cádiz. He is currently the Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Law at the University of Cádiz (UCA) and is responsible for the Ibero-American Network of Researchers "100 Rules of Brasilia" on Access to Justice for Vulnerable People, established at UCA under the auspices of the Ibero-American Association of Universities of Postgraduate Studies (AUIP). He coordinates the Jean Monnet Module on Vulnerable Persons and Access to Justice in the EU, with a special focus on ADRs (Alternative Dispute Resolutions). This program brings together the efforts of the University of Cádiz and the Universidad Católica de Oriente (Colombia) in training, dissemination, and research on European Union Law to facilitate access to justice for vulnerable individuals. He is also responsible for the Iurisdictio Research Group SEJ-287, supported by the Andalusian Regional Government, based at the University of Cádiz.
Prof. Dr. Pedro Álvarez Sánchez de Movellán
Professor of Procedural Law, University of León
Prof. Dr. Pedro Álvarez Sánchez de Movellán
Professor of Procedural Law, University of León
Pedro Álvarez Sánchez de Movellán is an Associate Professor of Procedural Law at the University of León. At this university, he obtained his PhD and was awarded the Extraordinary Doctorate Award. He is the author of several monographs, including The Annulment of the Arbitral Award (1996), Evidence in Appeal under Law 1/2000, Civil Procedure Act (2001), and Evidence by Presumptions: Particular Reference to its Judicial Application in Cases of Extra-contractual Liability (2007). He has also contributed to various collective publications (most recently, Procedural Law on Insolvency, 2008) and has written numerous articles published in national and international journals. In teaching, he has participated in the award-winning project “Pedagogical Action for Courtroom Simulation”, which is a reference in the field of innovation in legal education. Currently, he is the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law. He has also occasionally performed judicial duties at the Provincial Court of León.
Prof. María Ángeles González Bustos
Professor. University of Salamanca
Prof. María Ángeles González Bustos
Professor. University of Salamanca
Speech topic: The 2030 Agenda and equality Throughout my professional career I have made numerous contributions to the discipline of Administrative Law as evidenced in my resume. Among the lines of research are: Heritage of Public Administrations, Consumption, Inter-administrative relations, Equality and non-discrimination, Local Administration, Urban Planning and Sustainability, Environment, Climate Change, Citizens' Rights, Transparency, Regulatory Quality, Public Services, food quality, mediation, energy efficiency and construction, public sector contracting, Sustainable Development Goals, rural areas…
Dr. Irene Yáñez García Bernalt
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Salamanca
Dr. Irene Yáñez García Bernalt
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Salamanca
Dr. Irene Yáñez García-Bernalt holds a PhD with International Mention from the University of Salamanca, with her thesis titled "Foundations of the Juvenile Justice System: Subjects, Guarantees, and Rights." She has a Law degree and holds both a Master's in Access to the Legal Profession and a Master's in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, for which she received the Extraordinary Master's Award from the University of Salamanca. Her research focuses on topics such as: minor victims, procedural aspects of the juvenile justice system, the use of artificial intelligence in criminal proceedings, and procedural issues related to hate crimes committed through technological means. She is also a member of several National Research Projects. Currently, she is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Procedural Law at the University of Salamanca.
Prof. Dr. Javier García Amez
Professor of Criminal Law, University of Oviedo
Prof. Dr. Javier García Amez
Professor of Criminal Law, University of Oviedo
Prof. Dr. Javier García Amez is a distinguished professor of Criminal Law at the University of Oviedo, specializing in various areas of criminal law with a focus on issues related to gender-based violence and its legal implications. He has made significant contributions to understanding the intersection of law, criminal justice, and social issues. His research interests include the legal frameworks surrounding gender violence, criminal responsibility, and the protection of victims in the judicial process. He is particularly focused on the emerging challenges posed by new forms of criminal activity, such as cybercrime and crimes related to gender-based violence. Areas of Expertise:
- Criminal Law
- Gender-Based Violence
- Cybercrime and Digital Criminal Justice
- Victim Protection in Legal Systems
Prof. Javier Gustavo Fernández Teruelo
Professor. University of Oviedo
Prof. Javier Gustavo Fernández Teruelo
Professor. University of Oviedo
Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Oviedo. Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Oviedo. President of the Conference of Deans of Law Faculties (CONFEDE) (2023-) Double degree: Graduate in Law from the Universities of Oviedo (1993) and Pisa (Italy) (2000): Laurea in Giurisprudenza -Dottore in Giurisprudenza-. Doctor of Law with outstanding cum laude Substitute judge of the Provincial Court of Asturias since 1998. Four six-year terms (maximum) of research in 24 years of academic career. Lawyer with extensive experience in the development and implementation of crime prevention programs (Criminal Compliance). International consultant for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Tetra Tech and Checchi Consulting on matters related to corruption control mechanisms, gender violence and economic crime. He was a DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) Scholar at the Institut für Kriminologie und Wirtschaftstrafrecht in Freiburg im Br. (Germany). Fifteen research stays in European Universities. He holds all national accreditations as a university professor. Principal Investigator (PI) of multiple national and regional R&D&I research projects. National IPs: DER2008-05588/JURI and RTI2018-095835-B-I00 Evaluator for multiple evaluation agencies: the National Evaluation and Prospective Agency (ANEP), ANECA, (ResearchItaly), etc.
Prof. Nan Nie
Professor. Sichuan University of International Studies (China)
Prof. Nan Nie
Professor. Sichuan University of International Studies (China)
Graduated in Hispanic Philology, from the Sichuan University of International Studies, Chongqing, China. Master in Anthropology of Ibero-America, from the University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. Doctoral student in Social Sciences, in the anthropology research line, specialized in intercultural education, Salamanca, Spain. Professor hired by the College of International Law and Sociology, Sichuan University of International Studies, Chongqing, China.
Prof. Dr. Sergio Martín Guardado
Assistant Professor at University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. Sergio Martín Guardado
Assistant Professor at University of Salamanca
Sergio Martín Guardado Assistant Professor, Department of Public Law Area of Knowledge: Constitutional Law Research Areas: Misinformation and Political Polarization Separation of Powers and Rule of Law Constitutional Law from a Gender Perspective Parity Democracy and Women's Empowerment The Right to Equal Opportunities for Women and Men Legal and Labor Issues and Social Security from a Constitutional Perspective Constitution-Private Law Relationships Recognized Research Groups: Rights and Freedoms in Contemporary Society
Prof. Dr. Alicia García Holgado
Contracted Professor of Computer Engineering, University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. Alicia García Holgado
Contracted Professor of Computer Engineering, University of Salamanca
Alicia García-Holgado is a Computer Engineer (2011), with a Master's in Intelligent Systems (2013) and a PhD (Cum Laude) (2018) in the same field. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Automation at the University of Salamanca. She has been a member of the GRIAL Research Group since 2009, where she currently leads the research line "Responsibility and Social Inclusion." She is an International Impact Researcher at the National University of San Agustín, Arequipa (Peru). She holds the position of Women's Representative in Computer Science at the Scientific Society of Computer Science in Spain and is the deputy coordinator of the CLEI Community (Latin American Center for Informatics Studies) for Latin American women in computing. Her research is focused on the development of technological ecosystems for knowledge management and learning processes in heterogeneous contexts, as well as the promotion of diversity and inclusion in STEM, with a particular emphasis on engineering and technology. She has participated as a technological support and coordinator in numerous regional, national, and international research projects. Currently, she is part of the coordinating team of the W-STEM project, a capacity-building initiative funded by the European Union, and is a researcher in the CreaSTEAM project, both aimed at creating inclusive spaces in education and reducing the gender gap in STEM. Additionally, she has been involved in the definition and development of a number of technological ecosystems, including the ecosystem designed to support the internal processes of the company Aqua Development Network and the knowledge management ecosystem at INAP.
Prof. Dr. Irene González Pulido
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. Irene González Pulido
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Salamanca
She is currently a Researcher in Training with the Ministry’s University Teaching Staff Training Program (FPU), a PhD candidate in the doctoral program Administration, Taxation, and Justice in the Social State, and a professor in the Procedural Law area at the University of Salamanca. She has taught in the undergraduate programs in Law, Criminology, and Global Studies, as well as in the Master’s program in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies. She holds a degree in Criminology and a Master's in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca, where she received the Extraordinary Award for both her degree and Master's. Her research lines include: international judicial and police cooperation, cybercrime, gender-based cybercrime, gender-based violence, investigative procedures, technological investigative measures, and international security. She has published nationally and internationally on these subjects. Among her achievements is a three-month research stay at the Faculty of Law and Criminology at the University of Ghent (Belgium) with the law and technology research group of that university. She has given lectures and conferences both nationally and internationally (Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí in Mexico, Santo Tomás University in Colombia, University of Messina in Italy, University of Coimbra in Portugal, etc.). She has organized and collaborated in organizing and scientific committees for conferences both nationally and internationally, highlighting her role as Academic Secretary in the Forum of Experts and Young Researchers in Law and New Technologies (FODERTICS), held annually at the University of Salamanca.
Prof. Emilio Ferrero García
Researcher and Assistant Director of the Master's Program in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, University of Salamanca
Prof. Emilio Ferrero García
Researcher and Assistant Director of the Master's Program in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, University of Salamanca
Jurist and PhD candidate at the University of Salamanca. Professor in the Master's program in Sexual Identity and LGTBI+ Diversity. Specializing in Constitutional Law, gender equality, and gender identity. Researcher in several R&D projects and research contracts (Article 60); author of several academic book chapters and articles.
MEET THE Our Hosts of Tables
Prof. Maribel Rodríguez Fidalgo
Associate Professor of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, University of Salamanca
Prof. Maribel Rodríguez Fidalgo
Associate Professor of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, University of Salamanca
Prof. Maribel Rodríguez Fidalgo is an Associate Professor of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising at the University of Salamanca. She specializes in the intersection of communication, media, and social issues, with a focus on the role of media in shaping public perceptions and promoting social change. Her academic and research interests include media literacy, the representation of gender in the media, and the influence of advertising on public opinion. Prof. Rodríguez Fidalgo is dedicated to advancing the understanding of media's role in contemporary society and its impact on individuals and communities. Areas of Expertise:
- Audiovisual Communication
- Media Literacy
- Advertising and Social Influence
- Gender Representation in the Media
Prof. Julio López Abán
Professor. University of Salamanca
Prof. Julio López Abán
Professor. University of Salamanca
Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Health and Development in the Tropics. Scientific Secretary of the Center for Research on Tropical Diseases of the University of Salamanca (CIETUS). Doctor in Biological Sciences. Graduate in Veterinary Medicine.
Prof. Dr. David Diez Martin
Professor at University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. David Diez Martin
Professor at University of Salamanca
Former Rector of the University of Salamanca, David Díez Martín has held several leadership roles at the University of Salamanca. He was Director of the Department of Organic Chemistry (2004-2006), Deputy Director of the Instrumental Techniques area in the Núcleus platform (2014-2016), and Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry (2016-2023). He is currently the Vice-Rector for Academic Organization and Faculty at the University. He has also evaluated national and international research projects and led various educational innovation initiatives.
Ascension Iglesias Redodo
National President of the Union of Family Associations
Ascension Iglesias Redodo
National President of the Union of Family Associations
President of the Center for Help for Women Victims of Gender Violence "Plaza Mayor" in Salamanca, Graduate in Philosophy and Letters and Diploma in Library Science and Documentation from the University of Salamanca. She has developed her professional activity mainly in teaching, as a professor of Language and Literature, and as a Documentalist, in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Salamanca and giving courses financed by the European Social Fund. She is a collaborator of the Master and Doctorate of Interdisciplinary Studies of Gender and Equality Policies of the University of Salamanca, and author of articles on equality between women and men, gender violence, associationism and education in equality in different publications. In the associative movement she began as President of the AMPAS of Castilla y León. She is currently President of the Plaza Mayor Center for Assistance to Women Victims of Gender Violence in Salamanca, President of the Federation of Progressive Women of Castilla y León, Vice President of the Federation of Progressive Women and President of the Union of Family Associations.
Ana Hernández Martín
Journalist. Innovation and digital production of University of Salamanca
Ana Hernández Martín
Journalist. Innovation and digital production of University of Salamanca
Ana Hernández Martín is a journalist and since 2010 she has worked at the University of Salamanca as coordinator of USAL TV, within the Digital Production and Innovation Service. She has a degree in Information Sciences from the Pontifical University of Salamanca and a master's degree in Identity and Corporate Communication from UNIR. Her professional career has been linked to the field of communication in Salamanca for more than thirty years. Between 1996 and 2009 she worked for Televisión Castilla y León, where she directed and presented programs. For more than ten years she also collaborated with other local media outlets such as El Adelanto, Tribuna de Salamanca or Radio Salamanca. She has served as master of ceremonies in many institutional events for different administrations and has presented numerous conferences, seminars or festivals.
Majedeh Bozorgi
Doctoral Student of law
Majedeh Bozorgi
Doctoral Student of law
Majedeh Bozorgi is an experienced researcher and advocate for human rights, with a academic and professional background. Currently, she serves as Secretary for the Iranian Association for Human Rights in Spain and is pursuing a PhD in Administration, Finance, and Justice in the Social State at the University of Salamanca.She is the organizer of the annual Social Justice and Sustainable Development Conference, held in collaboration with the University of Salamanca. Majedeh has actively engaged in human rights research and advocacy over the past few years. In addition, she has co-directed and presented at several international conferences focused on social justice and gender equality, including the International Conference on Social Justice and Sustainable Development and the Human Rights of Refugees conference organized by the General Union of Workers. She has also moderated discussions on women’s rights and gender equality at the V International Congress, organized by the Equality Unit of the University of Salamanca. Her research, covering topics such as Women and Human Rights and the Legal Situations of Female Workers, reflects her contributions to the academic field of human rights. Majedeh is currently involved in two major research projects. The first, PREVENFEM, is an I+D+i project in collaboration with Fundación Universidad de Oviedo, focusing on a retrospective analysis of factors contributing to partner femicide, aiming to provide policy recommendations for the prevention of gender based violence. The second project, SUMA, is an initiative by the University of Salamanca aimed at promoting gender equality within academic settings.
Prof. Dr. Federico Bueno de Mata
Professor of Procedural Law at the University of Salamanca
Prof. Dr. Federico Bueno de Mata
Professor of Procedural Law at the University of Salamanca
Vice Rector for Transfer, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Co-Director of the Master’s Program in Digital Advocacy, Director of the Master’s Program in Legaltech, Director of the Advanced Course in Oral Litigation, and Director of the Advanced Course in Law and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Salamanca (USAL). He also served as Vice Dean for Students at the Faculty of Law for ten years. He teaches Procedural Law in various undergraduate and postgraduate programs at USAL and is also a guest lecturer in master’s and doctoral programs at various national and international universities. He has been recognized with three six-year terms (sexenios) by the CNEAI: two for research and one for knowledge transfer, granted by the National Commission for the Evaluation of Research Activity (CNEAI). He is the author of six monographs: "Electronic Evidence and Process 2.0" (Tirant lo Blanch, 2014), "Technological Investigation Procedures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution" (Aranzadi, 2019), "Orality and Process" (2020), "Case Theory, Legal Oratory, and Non-Verbal Language" (Aranzadi, 2021), "Toward an Efficient Civil Process: Judicial Transformations in a Pandemic Context" (Tirant lo Blanch, 2021), and "Investigation and Evidence in Hate Crimes" (Tirant lo Blanch, 2023). He has authored more than 120 scientific publications, including articles in prestigious legal journals and contributions to collective books on topics such as law and new technologies, evidence, equality, mediation, criminal investigation, and more. Additionally, he is the Director of the FODERTICS series on Law and New Technologies. He holds a Doctorate in Law from the University of Salamanca, where he graduated cum laude with unanimous honors and received the Extraordinary Doctorate Award in 2013 for his thesis on electronic evidence. He has been a speaker at numerous conferences, workshops, and scientific meetings, both nationally and internationally, notably participating in conferences on Law and Informatics in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru. Since 2012, he has been the Director of FODERTICS (Forum of Experts and Young Researchers in Law and ICT). He is the founder of PROCESSULUS, a network of young procedural law experts, which has held an annual conference since 2014. He is also a mentor and promoter of USAL’s spin-off focused on advocacy and new technologies, NIVOLAP.
Begoña Montero Rodríguez
Lawyer of the Salamanca Bar Association
Begoña Montero Rodríguez
Lawyer of the Salamanca Bar Association
Professor of the Master of Continuing Education in Law and Procurement.