Deissy Perilla has a doctorate in Social Anthropology from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). She has a background in ethnographic methods, cultural heritage studies, theories of social movements and activism, and peacebuilding strategies in Colombia. Her research focuses on peace movements and political transitions, grassroots activism, and popular education in post-conflict societies. She has held positions as field archaeologist in Bogota and the Caribbean coast in Colombia, and coordinator of the ethnographic and material culture collection at the National Museum of Colombia. Deissy has also worked as a teacher assistant for several Colombian and Brazilian universities. She loves sports - from running and swimming to scuba-diving - and also working while listening to music - her other big passion! Dei, as her friends call her, joined a 50 day-long encampment demanding the peace of Colombia after more than 60 years of conflict. Her research interests speak to this standing commitment.