Leandro Garcia

Leandro García Gómez is a doctoral candidate exploring the intersection of social movements, peacebuilding, and social transformation through a joint PhD program between Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia) and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research is rooted in collaborative and transformative approaches, integrating participatory action research, popular education, queer and feminist methodologies, and dialogical methods that prioritize co-construction and collective change. These methodological commitments align him with the Civic Innovation Research Group at ISS, where he contributes to advancing socially engaged scholarship.

Leandro’s doctoral research, Transformative Memories: Queer/Cuir Organizational Practices and Their Contributions to Transitional Justice in Colombia (2005–2024), examines how memory-building initiatives by LGBTQ+ social organizations catalyze social change within transitional justice frameworks. His work explores how these collective memory processes contribute to violence prevention mechanisms and promote social justice, offering innovative perspectives on post-conflict transformation and inclusive peacebuilding.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Leandro has extensive experience in applied research for international development agencies in Colombia. He has utilized diverse approaches to address topics such as human rights, sustainable development, local governance, gender-based violence prevention, renewable energy, and biodiversity conservation. In these projects, he has taken on roles as a project manager, ensuring the effective implementation of initiatives.

Leandro’s current research also connects with Positive Peace and Mobilities: Europe and Latin America, a collaborative project involving universities from both regions that examines the intersections of peace, mobility, and social justice. Through his focus on the forced displacement of LGBTQ+ activists and organizations in Colombia, his work contributes to understanding how queer/cuir organizational practices reshape narratives of forced migration, collective memory, and transitional justice, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of peacebuilding and social transformation.