Dr Ainara Mancebo is a research scholar at Ronin Institute. She also serves as researcher and consultant at IGDORE and as policy specialist at NOMA consultings South Africa. She has been living, working and researching in Africa for over 10 years. 

She completed a Master’s and PhD in Political Science from National Long Learning University (UNED Spain), a BA in journalism from University of Ramon Llull (Spain), a BA(Hons) in contemporary history from University of Salamanca (Spain) and postgraduate degrees on external relations of the European Union from Université Libre de Bruxelles/James Madison College (Belgium). Her research consists of studies that examine democracy with a focus in comparative democratisation, relating to institutional change.  

Her current research portfolio address the challenges of democratic consolidation, state-building and the sustainability of party competition. Her work focuses on party behaviour engaged in the process of institutional design and the legislative capacity to influence the exercise of executive power. 

Se is originally from Spain but has more than 20 years of professional background as journalist, lecturer and public affairs consultant in Spain, France, USA and South Africa.