Experts on countries of origin by country

Danielle Annoni is an associate professor of International Law and Human Rights at the Federal University of Parana (UFPR-Brazil), where she coordinates the Human Rights Observatory and Legal Practice in Human Rights and Migration. She has been conducting human rights research for 18 years. She is an educator, a mother and an active human rights defender, with a focus on migration, gender and the Latin American human rights protection system. Because of her work developed with vulnerable groups regarding the education of labor rights, the empowering of women through handicraft and gastronomy fairs, advocacy in the mediation of cultural conflicts, and access to justice and education, she has received several awards.

Dr. Astrid Barrondo is a globally recognized expert in international human rights law and justice reform. With a Ph.D. and multiple postgraduate degrees from top European universities, she has led impactful legal, research, and advocacy initiatives across Latin America, Europe, and North America. From litigating landmark cases before the Inter-American Court to training government officials on anti-corruption strategies, Astrid has remained at the forefront of global justice advocacy. Her extensive publications and advisory work reflect her commitment to defending the rights of the most vulnerable, especially Indigenous peoples, women, and laborers. Fluent in Spanish and English, she is a powerhouse of legal intellect, human rights dedication, and cross-border collaboration.

Dr. Aretha Campbell brings together the precision of a legal strategist and the insight of a regional researcher, making her an invaluable expert for governance, compliance, and human rights work in the Caribbean. With a rich career spanning international banking, academic research, and consulting, she offers not only deep analytical skills but also practical experience that informs effective policy and legal strategy. Her work has helped shape compliance standards, informed regional anti-corruption policies, and trained the next generation of legal and financial professionals. Aretha is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and highly respected in both academic and professional circles. If you're seeking someone who blends intellectual rigor with real-world impact, she’s the expert you want on your team.

Simone Elyse Carter is a public health and humanitarian expert with over 15 years of experience in outbreak analytics, research coordination, and strategic leadership. She currently serves as the Lead for Integrated Outbreak Analytics (IOA) at UNICEF, providing technical guidance and capacity strengthening for emergency response efforts worldwide.

Throughout her career, Simone has played a key role in developing data-driven solutions for complex health crises, leading interdisciplinary teams, and fostering global partnerships. Her work has included chairing the IOA working group under the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and overseeing systematic research dissemination to improve outbreak response strategies.

Previously, Simone managed the Integrated Analytics Cell (CAI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she contributed to the development of evidence-based response mechanisms during public health emergencies. Her expertise spans epidemiology, humanitarian coordination, and policy development, making her a vital resource in advancing data-informed decision-making in crisis contexts.

Ana María Diez de Fex is a deeply experienced policy expert, legal researcher, and education program manager whose work reflects a strong commitment to social justice, human rights, and civic education. Trained as a lawyer and public policy specialist, she has held strategic roles in Colombia’s Congress, constitutional court, and reparations institutions designing responses for conflict victims and contributing to democratic reform. Her transition into educational leadership in Spain underscores her adaptability and vision in building bridges between civil society and schools. Ana María brings both analytical rigor and grassroots understanding to her work, supported by cross-cultural fieldwork and international training. Her career demonstrates an exceptional capacity to translate complex legal and political issues into actionable, community-rooted solutions.

Isidora J. Ramírez Garmendia is a transnational legal and advocacy leader with an outstanding track record in human rights, sustainability, and grassroots empowerment. Her experience ranges from directing NGOs and legal firms to shaping policy at local and international levels, all while championing Indigenous rights, climate resilience, and equity. With multilingual fluency, cross-continental networks, and a proven ability to drive legal, institutional, and social change, Isidora is exceptionally well-positioned for roles in international justice, humanitarian governance, or global policy development.

Michelle Johnson is Associate Dean of Faculty for the Social Sciences and Professor of Anthropology at Bucknell University. A cultural anthropologist specializing in religion and ritual in Africa and the contemporary African diaspora (i.e., Africans in Europe and the United States), she has conducted extensive fieldwork in Guinea-Bissau and with Guinean immigrants in Portugal. She has held grants from the Social Science Research Council, the U.S. Department of Education (Fulbright-Hays), and the Institute for Citizens & Scholars (formerly the Woodrow Wilson Foundation). Her articles have appeared in the Journal of Religion in Africa, African Studies Review, Anthropology Quarterly, and Food and Foodways. She is author of Re-making Islam in African Portugal: Lisbon - Mecca - Bissau (Indiana University Press, 2020) and co-author (with Edmund "Ned" Searles) of Reciprocity Rules: Friendship and Compensation in Fieldwork Encounters (Lexington Books, 2021). She also provides expert testimony on asylum cases pertaining to West Africa and the contemporary African diaspora on topics such as genital cutting, forced marriage, and religious persecution and freedom. She teaches courses on cultural anthropology, the anthropology of religion, African Studies, and the life course and was… Read more

Daryna Lysyk is a well-rounded legal practitioner and country expert on Ukraine with extensive cross-sectoral experience in international law, refugee protection, and human rights. Her professional background bridges high-level legal research at one of Ukraine’s most respected law firms with hands-on support for refugees navigating asylum and immigration systems in the UK. As an immigration advisor and project coordinator, she has authored comprehensive handbooks, delivered multilingual trainings, and ensured accessible legal guidance for displaced Ukrainians. Her credibility is grounded in legal accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and responsiveness to complex humanitarian contexts, particularly since the escalation of the war in Ukraine. With her legal fluency in three languages and a proven ability to communicate legal nuance across borders, Daryna is exceptionally positioned to contribute expert reports, risk analyses, and country assessments for legal teams, NGOs, and international protection agencies.

Dr. Basem Mahmud is a Syrian-Spanish sociologist specializing in emotions, forced migration, and post-conflict recovery, with deep expertise in Syria’s social and cultural contexts. Born and raised in Syria, his lived experience enriches his academic and applied research, providing nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by displaced populations. He holds a PhD in Sociology, supported by a DAAD fellowship, and was awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship for postdoctoral research on refugee labor and structural inequalities in the global economy. His work bridges academic research and practical field applications through partnerships with international organizations, civil society, and research institutes. He focuses on key issues such as transitional justice, civic engagement, community resilience, victim-centered documentation, and social reconstruction in Syria and similar post-conflict settings. Fluent in Arabic, English, and Spanish, Dr. Basem Mahmud combines advanced qualitative and mixed-methods research skills with deep contextual knowledge. He is committed to collaborating on evidence-based projects that foster social transformation and sustainable recovery. Clients can expect strategic research insights, expert project leadership,… Read more

Dr. Pacifico has been an international lawyer since 1993, with expertise in International Human Rights Law, particularly human rights of refugees and forced migrants, since 1997. She has been an associate professor for Law and International Relations at Maceio, Brasilia, and Joao Pessoa universities since 1997.  She has taught International Law/Relations, Human Rights, and Refugee and Migration Issues for more than two decades. Dr. Pacifico has also presented seminars, given lectures and interviews, published papers, supervised theses and dissertations on these issues, and my own research principally focuses on human rights of legal minorities and human rights protections of refugees and legal minorities in Brazil and abroad.

Currently, Dr. Pacifico is a full-time associate professor in International Relations at Paraiba State University and a full-time collaborator/researcher at the Post-Graduate Program in Comparative Studies on the Americas, at University of Brasilia, both in Brazil, in addition to being a Senior Research Associate at the Refugee Law Initiative at University of London, UK. She was a post-doctoral fellow at the York University Centre for Refugee Studies, Canada (2009 to 2010), visiting research fellow at the Refugee Studies… Read more

Alexander Parini is a dynamic educator, policy communicator, and regional expert on U.S.-Asia relations with significant teaching and advisory experience across Vietnam and China. As a lecturer, columnist, and editor, he excels in translating complex global affairs into accessible narratives for students, policymakers, and international audiences. His written work and public commentary featured by My Asia Connections and BBC Vietnamese have examined education diplomacy, trade shifts, and post-pandemic geopolitics, making him a valuable contributor to discourse on Asia’s evolving regional role. With deep academic credentials from SOAS and Peking University, and a solid grounding in U.S. and UK institutional contexts, he represents a rare blend of academic, editorial, and intercultural insight. Alexander’s ability to bridge Western and Asian perspectives through public speaking, writing, and classroom leadership marks him as an influential figure in global education and policy circles.