Maria Belen Lopez Conte

Maria Belen Lopez Conte is a Graduate Professional with UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme, supporting strategic communications efforts. Her areas of expertise lie at the nexus between arms control and disarmament and human rights, with particular attention to forced displacement, securitization narratives, and the use of emerging technologies by organized crime.

She holds an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s degree in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies from the University of Glasgow, the University of Trento, and Charles University, completed with highest distinction, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Universidad de San Andrés in Argentina, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Prior to joining UNIDIR, Maria Belen worked in research and communications roles in international and governmental settings. She contributed to advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives addressing the humanitarian and security implications of lethal autonomous weapons systems, and served as external staff supporting high-level international summits, including the G20 and the World Economic Forum.

Maria Belen is fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian, and has working proficiency in German.