About Mariana Dias Simpson & Itamar Silva

Mariana Dias Simpson is an action-researcher and holds an MSc in Urban Development Planning (Bartlett DPU/ University College London). With broad international experience in research and project development on topics addressing poverty and inequalities, her main areas of work relate to informal settlements, housing and the right to the city, social mobility, public services, food security, and sustainability. Itamar Silva was born and raised in the favela of Santa Marta, Rio de Janeiro, and holds a degree in Journalism. He has been an important activist of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas social movements since their foundation and worked as the coordinator of NGOs and several projects. His main areas of research include youth, public security, and favelas.