Biography

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Centro de Estudos Sociais (CES) at the University of Coimbra, working on the Horizon's Europe project "COntinuous COnstruction of resilient social COntracts through societal transformations" (CO3). I am a recent PhD graduate in political science with a specialization in populism, conspiracy theories, political behavior, and party politics, and a diverse professional background in scientific research, lecturing in higher education, and NGO research and advocacy work. Using mixed methods, my dissertation examined the connection between conspiracy theory beliefs at the mass level with support for populist parties across the EU and USA, as well as the functional usage of conspiracy theory rhetoric for populist leaders in building and reaffirming a base of supporters. My academic work has been published by such journals as Cross-Cultural Research, Political Studies Review, and the International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society while my work outside of academia has been regularly cited by major media outlets, think tanks, and international organizations. I aim to contribute to rigorous research on the dynamics surrounding the emergence of populism and the radical right, the processes of democratic backsliding, and other consequences of illiberalism.