Dr. Sofia Almeida Closed Now

• Dr. Sofia Almeida is a globally respected authority in cultural heritage preservation and museum strategy, with over two decades of work in safeguarding art, architecture, and historical collections around the world. She has dedicated her life to preserving humanity’s shared cultural legacy, from the frescoes of Renaissance Italy to indigenous artifacts in the Amazon basin.

Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Dr. Almeida began her academic journey with a dual degree in Art History and Chemistry, followed by a PhD in Conservation Science from the University of Bologna. Early in her career, she joined UNESCO’s World Heritage Programme, where she contributed to the preservation and emergency response strategies for heritage sites in conflict zones, including Timbuktu (Mali) and Palmyra (Syria).

From 2014 to 2022, she served as Director of Conservation Strategy at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, leading cross-cultural teams in managing art collections, digital archiving, and implementing environmentally sustainable conservation methods. Under her leadership, the museum became a regional model for ethical curation and climate-resilient exhibition design.

Currently, Dr. Almeida is the Executive Director of The Global Institute for Heritage Futures (GIHF), a non-profit organization that develops preservation strategies for at-risk heritage sites facing challenges from climate change, political instability, and urbanization. She also advises UNESCO and the European Commission on cultural policy and cultural diplomacy.

Fluent in Portuguese, English, French, and Arabic, Dr. Almeida regularly speaks at international forums, including ICOMOS, the World Monuments Fund, and the Venice Biennale. She is a staunch advocate for decolonizing museum collections and promoting inclusive storytelling in heritage spaces.

Her work blends scientific rigor with cultural empathy, making her one of the most innovative thinkers in the museum and conservation sector today.