Manuela d'Ávila

Visiting Doctoral Student

Manuela is a Brazilian journalist with a Master's degree in Public Policy and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Policy at UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul). Her research focuses on examining violence and freedom as catalysts for Brazilian internet regulation. Manuela has served as the youngest city councilor in Porto Alegre, as well as the most-voted federal and state deputy in Brazil. In 2018, she ran for vice president of the country, making it to the second round of the election where she competed against Jair Bolsonaro. She founded the "E Se Fosse Você? Institute," aimed at combating disinformation, gender violence, and hate speech. She has published four books: "Revolución Laura", "Por que lutamos? um livro sobre amor e liberdade" (also translated into Spanish) "E Se Fosse Você? Surviving hate networks and fake news" and "Somos as palavras que usamos". She is also the organizer and author of the Collections "Sempre foi sobre nós: relatos da violência política de gênero no Brasil", and "Rede de Mentiras e de ódio: e se o alvo fosse você?", both with Spanish translations.