Biography
Gustavo is a PhD student at the King’s Brazil Institute at King’s College London, enrolled in the joint doctoral program between King's and the University of São Paulo. He is funded by the King's Doctoral College.
Gustavo holds an MSc in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Forensic Analysis from the University of Pernambuco, and a Bachelor of Laws from the Federal University of Pernambuco. In addition, he completed postgraduate diplomas in Criminal Investigation, Penal Law and Criminology.
Gustavo has previously served as a lecturer in penal process, as an Honorary Research Fellow at Birkbeck, University of London.He is a member of the British Society of Criminology (BSC), the Brazilian Forum of Public Safety (FBSP), the Brazilian Institute of Criminal Science (IBCCRIM), and the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP).
Research
Thesis title: 'Echoes of colonialism: Effects of incarceration on Indigenous People in Brazil'
Gustavo's research examines the effects of incarceration on Indigenous people in Brazil, focusing on how prison experiences intersect with systemic inequalities rooted in colonial legacies. Although official records identify 1,281 incarcerated Indigenous individuals, the real number is likely higher due to misclassification and systemic erasure.
The project adopts a national scope, conducting qualitative research across Brazil’s five regions to explore how incarceration affects Indigenous men and women differently, while addressing challenges such as language barriers, cultural invisibility, and denial of rights. By situating these experiences within a decolonial framework, the study seeks to challenge Global North-centric prison theories, amplify Indigenous voices, and provide evidence to inform more equitable criminal justice policies in Brazil and beyond.
PhD supervision
- Principal supervisor: Dr Andreza Aruska de Souza Santos