Facts and Norms Institute Welcomes New Visiting Researchers for the 2026-2027 Cohort
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The Facts and Norms Institute (FNI) is thrilled to announce the newest cohort of our exclusive Visiting Researcher Program with the motto "From Zero to International Book, and Beyond."
Designed as a personalized career accelerator, our competitive, non-residential mentorship program empowers ambitious academics and professionals to produce original, high-standard international books. Furthermore, it opens the doors for direct advocacy with the United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms.
After a rigorous selection process, we are proud to introduce three exceptional legal scholars and practitioners who will be joining the Institute to bridge the gap between theory and global practice. Please join us in welcoming Ana Luisa de Oliveira Ribeiro, Mel Capobianco Silva, and Amanda Tiemi Tsutida Kawakami.
Meet Our New Visiting Researchers
Ana Luisa de Oliveira Ribeiro
Ana Luisa brings over 11 years of experience in the legal field, with a consolidated focus on Human Rights, Criminal Law, and gender perspectives. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Human Rights at the Universidad de Salamanca (Spain) and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Law from PUC Minas, along with a Specialization in International Criminal Law from the Siracusa International Institute.
Professionally, Ana Luisa has accumulated extensive institutional experience, having served for five years as a Legal Advisor at the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Minas Gerais. She has also served as a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/MG) and taught Constitutional Law at PUC Minas and the Military Firefighters Academy.
Research Focus at FNI: During her time at the Institute, Ana Luisa will develop a profound study on one of the most extreme forms of gender violence: sexual violence. Her research will provide a comprehensive comparison of the norms, standards, and jurisprudence across both international human rights law and international criminal law, aiming to strengthen international accountability and reduce the historical invisibilization of women victims.
Mel Capobianco Silva
Mel Capobianco is a lawyer with a strong background in both Brazilian and international tax frameworks. She recently earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from FGV Direito SP, where she authored an award-winning undergraduate thesis and published works in prominent legal vehicles such as JOTA. She is currently an LL.M. Candidate in International Tax Law at the University of Amsterdam.
Her professional trajectory includes acting as a Legal Intern in Tax Law at the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP) and in Tax Administrative Litigation at top-tier law firms. Additionally, Mel has an outstanding track record in international competitions, having won the award for Best State Memorial in Portuguese at the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
Research Focus at FNI:At the Institute, Mel will explore the critical and innovative intersection between taxation and international human rights law. Her research will focus deeply on the human right to development and the obligations of cooperation between States. Furthermore, she will provide a rigorous legal interpretation of the findings from major development organizations, such as the World Bank, as they relate to the field of global taxation and human rights policies.
Amanda Tiemi Tsutida Kawakami
Amanda Kawakami is a lawyer specializing in Corporate Law and Arbitration at MLuis Advogados Associados, with a deep academic commitment to public international law. She graduated in Law from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, where she notably coordinated the Study and Competition Group in International Environmental Law.
Amanda is an accomplished oralist and researcher, having won Best Oralist at both the International Environmental Moot Court Competition (national rounds) and the OAB/SP Human Rights Moot. She is currently a researcher at the Research Group on the Law of the Sea (CEDIN/IBDMAR)—where she investigates plastic pollution by transnational corporations in developing countries—and the Nucleus of Studies in International Tribunals at the University of São Paulo (NETI-USP).
Research Focus at FNI:Amanda will leverage her expertise to conduct high-level research at the intersection of the environment, international law, and human rights. Her work will place a special focus on the crucial framework of business and human rights. Currently, Amanda is preparing an in-depth legal analysis on the protection and rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation, drawing from a critical perspective on the role of international law for developing countries and marginalized communities.
Take the Next Step in Your International Career
Our new Visiting Researchers are embarking on an intensive, 1-on-1 mentorship journey that will take them from manuscript production to an officially published international book (with ISBN and DOI), with the potential to transform their findings into official submissions (Amicus Curiae, Technical Notes) for the UN System and International Courts.
Are you ready to make a tangible mark on international human rights mechanisms and elevate your academic portfolio? Admissions for the 2026-2027 Visiting Researcher Program are currently open. Vacancies are strictly limited and by application only.
How to Apply:
Applications are submitted directly through our official online form. Please access the link below to submit your details, upload your CV, and provide a short paragraph explaining your global goals and why you wish to join the program:
(Note: If you already have a completed monograph, dissertation, or thesis and are interested only in premium publication in book format without the mentorship program, contact us via email at Henrique.alves@factsandnorms.com with the subject "Possible Publication" to consult our editorial conditions).
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