The International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) is pleased to highlight the work of Lorena Peña Rodríguez, a student of the ReD Global Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme, who recently completed a six-month research internship with the Institute.
During her internship, Lorena contributed to the development of the IIRF Violent Incidents Database, a research initiative that systematically documents violations of freedom of religion or belief worldwide. As part of this work, she monitored specialised sources on human rights and religious freedom, collecting 910 documented incidents from multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Through this process, Lorena engaged daily with cases illustrating the complex intersections between religion, governance, violence, and social conflict. Her work contributed to strengthening the Institute’s efforts to gather reliable data and support research on global patterns of religious freedom violations.
Reflecting on her experience, Lorena noted that working with cases from diverse contexts challenged her perspectives and deepened her understanding of the global dynamics surrounding religion-related violence. At the same time, she highlighted how the internship strengthened her research and analytical skills while reinforcing her commitment to the study of religion in a globalised world.
The IIRF is grateful for Lorena’s dedication and thoughtful contribution to our research. We also thank the ReD Global programme for fostering academic collaboration and preparing students to engage critically with issues of religious diversity and freedom.
Her reflections on the internship were recently featured in the ReD Global Newsletter (January 2026).
