On 5 June 2026, Gabriela Villacis Izquierdo successfully defended her thesis examining feminist approaches contribute to shaping alternative forms of humanitarian action in Colombia.
Izquierdo's research examined three distinct but interconnected domains:
- self-declared feminist international humanitarian organizations
- women-led grassroots organizations and collectives
- crisis-affected women's own organizing initiatives
Drawing on 11 months of ethnographic and interactive research conducted across Bogotá, Norte de Santander, Cauca and Putumayo departments between 2022 and 2023, Izquierdo used multiple qualitative methods, including participant observation, semi-structured dialogues, collective discussions and storytelling circles with 108 research participants.
She challenged the narrow framing of humanitarian action as the activities and systems put in place by international actors by examining how feminist approaches contributed to shaping alternative forms of humanitarian action in Colombia, a context characterized by prolonged internal armed conflict, disasters and mixed migration flows.
Her research thus centred on the unrecognized or actively refused everyday practices of diverse actors, particularly women and feminists.
Rewatch Dr Izquierdo's defence introduction
- Researcher