Sara Afonso

IPS_Innovative Prison Systems, Portugal

Sara Afonso is the Head of the Directory for Communitarian Inclusion and Social Development (within the Radicalisation, Violent Extremism and Organised Crime Portfolio) at IPS_Innovative Prison Systems. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master’s degree in Terrorism, Organised Crime and Global Security, Sara focuses on implementing P/CVE-related projects from a community perspective, incl. integration of individuals in vulnerable situations. Sara is a certified trainer, a RAN Policy Support Expert, and an ESC member..

Pedro Liberado

Board Member, Chief Research Officer & Coordinator of Radicalisation, Violent Extremism and Organised Crime Portfolio, IPS_Innovative Prison Systems, Portugal

Pedro Liberado is Chief Research Officer and Head of Radicalisation, Violent Extremism and Organised Crime Portfolio at IPS. Pedro is a PhD Candidate in Criminology at the University of Granada, holds an MSc in Criminology from the University of Porto, a PgDip in Strategic and Security Studies from the NOVA University of Lisbon and the Institute of National Defence (Portuguese Ministry of National Defence), and a BA in Sociology from the University of Coimbra. Pedro is a former researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon, and at TCuPS (Research Group for Cultural and Political Sociology), a part of TaSTI (Research Centre for Knowledge, Science, Technology and Innovation Studies) of the University of Tampere. At IPS, he is responsible for the design, coordination, implementation, and sustainability of projects, mostly on the field of P/CVE and radicalisation prevention, contributing to the implementation of over 10 EU-funded projects related to risk screening/assessment, exit work, staff training, multi-agency cooperation, among others. Besides having various articles published in the area of criminal justice and corrections, Pedro is also a invited speaker/trainer in international conferences, meetings, training courses and seminars worldwide. Pedro is certified trainer, active Member of the European Commission's Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN Policy Support and RAN Practitioners), Full Member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association, and Member of the American Probation and Parole Association.