María Ruiz Hernández 

Hello!

I am a PhD candidate in Political Science at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona at Democracy, Elections and Citizenship research group.

My doctoral research investigates the interplay between populist attitudes and life transitions, examining how pivotal moments in individuals’ lives influence their susceptibility to populism under the supervision of Carol Galais and Enrique Hernández. Additionally, my work explores the role of emotions in political behaviour, with a particular focus on the dynamics of populism and the rise of the far-right in contemporary politics.

I aim to contribute to the academic understanding of how sociopolitical and emotional factors shape attitudes toward populism. By bridging theoretical frameworks and empirical analysis, my work seeks to advance scholarly debates on populism, political psychology, and the broader challenges facing democracies today.

With a strong academic foundation with a bachelor's in International Studies and a Master’s degree in European Contemporary Studies and a commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative research, I am eager to engage with scholars across fields and contribute to cutting-edge discussions in political science. I welcome opportunities to present my research, collaborate on publications, and participate in academic conferences