Posted on 15/06/202418/06/2024 by sciencefatherLeave a Comment on María Ximena González-Serrano | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award 70 / 100 Powered by Rank Math SEO Mrs. María Ximena González-Serrano | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award PhD Researcher at University Carlos III of Madrid, Colombia. Maria Ximena González-Serrano is a dedicated researcher, activist, and lawyer specializing in human and non-human rights, environmental protection, and social movements. With extensive experience in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, she has worked closely with Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, and peasant groups affected by conflicts and extractivism. Maria’s academic journey includes pursuing a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Rights at the University Carlos III of Madrid, focusing on water disputes and legal pluralities among marginalized communities in Guatemala and Colombia. She holds a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and has undertaken specialized training in international water law, environmental law, and human rights protection systems. Maria has contributed significantly to advocacy, strategic litigation, and community empowerment through her roles in various NGOs and academic institutions globally. Professional Profiles: Scopus Profile ORCID Profile Education María Ximena González-Serrano is currently a PhD candidate in Advanced Studies in Human Rights at the University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain, within the Social Sciences Department. Her doctoral thesis, titled “Waters and Rivers in Law: Plural Ontologies, Historical Claims and Legal Disputes of Black and Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and Colombia,” is expected to be completed in 2024. In 2017, she earned a Certificate in International Water Law and Law of Cross-border Aquifers from Geneva University, Switzerland. She holds a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, completed in 2013, where she presented a thesis on “Cultural and Territorial Transformations Caused by Large-Scale Coal Mining: The Case of the Boquerón Community (Cesar – Colombia).” Additionally, she obtained a Certificate in Inter-American and International System on Protection of Human Rights from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights in Washington, USA, in 2011. Her academic journey began with a specialization in Environmental Law and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Universidad Externado de Colombia, completed in 2009 and 2007, respectively. Professional Experience María Ximena González-Serrano is an accomplished social sciences researcher, activist, and lawyer with extensive experience in human and environmental rights. Currently a Thematic and Methodological Consultant for the Civil Peace Service (ZFD) in Germany, María facilitates global expert encounters on Environmental Peace Building. She has worked as an Academic Consultant and PhD Researcher at the University Carlos III of Madrid, focusing on water ontologies and justice for indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in Colombia and Guatemala. Her previous roles include Research Assistant at the University of New Brunswick, Co-Director and Litigation Coordinator at Tierra Digna NGO, and Lawyer at Colectivo de Abogados José Alvear Restrepo. María has a strong background in international advocacy, strategic planning, and high-impact litigation, working with diverse communities to address human rights violations and environmental disputes. Fluent in Spanish, English, and German, she is committed to social justice and environmental protection. Research Interest María Ximena González-Serrano is a social sciences researcher, activist, and lawyer specializing in human and environmental rights. With extensive experience working with Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and peasant communities in Latin America, her research employs empirical, participatory, and community-based methods. She focuses on the socio-environmental impacts of extractive industries, water disputes, and the advocacy of social movements. Currently a PhD candidate at the University Carlos III of Madrid, her doctoral thesis examines the legal and cultural dimensions of water rights among Black and Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and Colombia. María has collaborated with various organizations and academic institutions, contributing to international advocacy, strategic planning, and high-impact litigation. Her work is dedicated to understanding and defending the complex relationships between humans, their rights, and the environment, aiming to promote justice and sustainable development. Award and Honors Maria Ximena González-Serrano has garnered acclaim for her impactful contributions to social sciences, human rights, and environmental advocacy. Her dedication and expertise have been recognized with prestigious awards and honors, including [specific award/honor] for [brief description of the recognition and its significance]. These accolades underscore her commitment to advancing justice and sustainability, particularly through her work with marginalized communities in Latin America facing challenges related to extractivism, environmental protection, and human rights violations. Maria’s ongoing pursuit of a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Rights at the University Carlos III of Madrid reflects her deep scholarly engagement and practical application of legal frameworks to support Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in asserting their rights amid complex socio-environmental contexts. Research Skills María Ximena González-Serrano possesses a robust set of research skills honed through extensive experience in the fields of human rights, environmental protection, and social movements. Her empirical research methods include participatory and community-based approaches, ensuring that her work is both inclusive and impactful. She has a deep understanding of international advocacy and strategic planning, essential for addressing complex human and environmental rights issues. Her proficiency in high-impact litigation, particularly in cases involving territorial and environmental disputes, underscores her ability to navigate and influence legal frameworks. María Ximena’s research also extends to interdisciplinary fields, integrating insights from anthropology, sociology, and law to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and peasant communities. Her dedication to innovative dissemination methods, such as film forums and podcasts, highlights her commitment to making research accessible and engaging to a broader audience. Publications Publication Title: The right to be, to feel and to exist: Indigenous lawyers and strategic litigation over Indigenous territories in Guatemala Authors: Lieselotte Viaene, María Ximena González-Serrano Journal: International Journal of Human Rights Year: 2024 Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Pages: 555–577 Abstract: Not available Publication Title: Towards the decolonization of the extractive regime: Patterns and limits of judicialization in mining conflicts | Hacia la descolonización del régimen extractivo: Patrones y límites de la judicialización en conflictos mineros Authors: María Ximena González-Serrano, David Montalván-Zambrano, Lieselotte Viaene Journal: Iconos Year: 2022 Issue: 72 Pages: 97–116 Abstract: Not available María Ximena González-Serrano | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award