Leonardo Petronilha received his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2003), an M.A. in Political Science from the Fluminense Federal University (2006) with the dissertation “The Politics of Human Rights in Rio de Janeiro,” and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Fluminense Federal University (2013) with the thesis “From Hunger Zero to Bolsa Familia: Food Security Policy in Brazil”. He served as the executive coordinator of the Human Rights Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro (2004) and special advisor to the Governor of Rio de Janeiro (2006). He was a professor at the Candido Mendes University and the Brazilian Institute of Municipal Administration. Currently holds a teaching position at the CEPERJ Foundation and is a Visiting Scholar/Visiting Scientist at Columbia University. He is also the editor of achegas.net – Journal of Political Science (www.achegas.net). He has experience in the area of Political Science, with an emphasis on state and government, public policy development and decision making, political and electoral marketing, public security, food security and nutrition, ethics, citizenship and human rights. He is also a political consultant and manager of public and private organizations. He has lectured in many countries, including: Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba and United States.