VIRTUAL Lisbon Livable Cities

Aleksandar Marinov: Sasho serves as a research associate at Heriot-Watt University’s Urban Institute. His research interests are centred on the historical and sociopolitical dimensions of marginalised communities. His scholarly work has extensively examined Romani civic emancipation during the Interwar Period and the experiences of the ‘Porrajmos/Samudaripen’ (the Roma and Sinti Holocaust/Genocide). Additionally, his research encompasses the complex phenomena of displacement, mobilities, and identities, providing critical insights into the resilience and adaptability of historically marginalised populations.

Dr Rosa Cisneros is an artist, researcher, consultant, and filmmaker of mixed ethnic background who has over 25 years of experience managing, developing, and delivering projects. She is director of RosaSenCis film Production Co., a company that aims to create inclusive and accessible resources and teaching guides used by major organisations such as the NHS.

Ryan Woolrych, PhD is Director of the Urban Institute, and Professor in Ageing and Urban Studies at Heriot-Watt University. Ryan’s research interests include sense of place, ageing-in-place and age-friendly cities and communities.

Margaret Greenfields’s background as a policy professional underpins her research, consultancy, teaching and evaluation activities as an academic. She has worked extensively in the field of social inclusion, ethnicity, equalities and social justice with a specific emphasis on undertaking collaborative research with communities at risk of marginalisation, racism and ‘othering’.

Judith Sixsmith co-directs two institutes: The Institute of Social Science Research and The Centre for Educational and Life Transitions. Her research concerns the place-based health and well-being of marginalised older people.

Since 2009, Crina Morteanu has worked for various national and international organisations, advocating for Roma rights. In 2016, she was the Human Rights Counsellor of the Romanian Minister of Justice and now she is leading Luton Roma Trust.

Petr Torak is a Roma and after serving over 11 years as a police officer, Torak was elected in 2017 as the Chief Executive Officer of COMPAS Charity.

Ann Hyde is committed to improving the lives of European Roma. Since 2002 she was active in influencing the policies of local and national governments that impact, many negatively, on the lives of Roma.

Gaba Smolinska-Poffley is Roma Support Group’s Deputy Manager and a Roma Support & Engagement Programme Leader.