Allison Benson-Hernández

Founder, Director and Principal Researcher, Re-imaginemos Action Research Center

COLOMBIA

Allison Benson-Hernández is the founder, director, and principal researcher of Re-imaginemos, an action research center that works to reimagine inequality in Colombia through engaged research by facilitating open dialogues and engaging with arts and cultural communities. Encompassing a network of over 150 academics, artists, and activists, Allison’s organization has published over 30 investigative articles on income, gender,political, and other inequalities and has coordinated over 300 intersectional discussion groups to discuss these issues. Founded on the principle of open and inclusive dialogue, Re-imaginemos enables academics and policy experts to directly engage with affected individuals whose voices often go unheard. By shining a spotlight on diverse forms of knowledge and life-experiences, Allison is highlighting inequality in public conversations and encouraging citizens to reimagine options for a more equitable society. Her organization launched a museum exhibition in Colombia’s Peace, Historic Memory and Reconciliation Center. Re-imaginemos’s research has been published in 13 newspapers in Colombia.

Allison has a PhD and a master’s degree in international development from the London School of Economics. She also holds a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Los Andes in Colombia. She has previously worked as a deputy ministerial advisor in Colombia and has worked as a consultant for international agencies such as FAO and USAID.