Julia de Freitas Sampaio

Julia de Freitas Sampaio is a sociologist specializing in migration, climate change, and social justice, drawing on decolonial perspectives to examine power, displacement, and resistance. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Luxembourg and a lecturer at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Julia holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Humboldt University, a Master’s in Social Development from Paul Valery University in Montpellier, and a Bachelor's in Social Sciences from UFRGS, Brazil. During her studies, she conducted research abroad at the Charles University in Prague, Czechia, the Sorbonne, in Paris, France, and the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies,  Tokyo, Japan.

She has been awarded multiple fellowships, including the STIBET from the DAAD, the Frederisch-Ebert-Stiftung, for Ph.D. candidates and JSPS Fellowship for a research stay in Japan. She was also awarded the DAAD Prize for Outstanding Achievements for her research and she was short-listed two years in a row for the Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Her work has been published in journals on migration, urban studies, and anthropology and she has organized special sessions at international conferences.

Julia has lectured internationally, including at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Charles University in Prague, and Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. Fluent in four languages, she is deeply engaged in decolonial and multilingual perspectives on education and research.

“I want to advance in my academic career and ultimately become a tenured professor, while at the same time, bridging the gap between academia, practical action, and the general public. My motivation stems from a desire to address pressing social issues through rigorous research, innovative teaching, and meaningful public engagement. With a solid foundation in sociology, a focus on decolonial and intersectional perspectives, and a track record of both academic and community-driven work, I am dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for knowledge exchange. I am particularly driven by the belief that academic insights should not remain confined to the ivory tower but should actively contribute to societal transformation. My commitment to fostering dialogue, mentoring emerging scholars, and promoting accessible scholarship reflects my passion for making a lasting impact in both academic and public spheres.”

Julia de Freitas Sampaio is a part of the Falling Walls Female Science Talents Intensive Track 2025.