Rodriguez Alcazar, Maria

María Rodríguez Alcázar is a PhD Fellow at UNU-CRIS and Ghent University, with the support the Special Research Fund (BOF) Scholarship. Her research focuses on the mechanisms for citizen and civil society participation in the governance of Regional Organisations.

She earned a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2017, and a Master’s in African Studies at University Institute of Lisbon ISCTE-IUL in 2019. She was international analyst intern at Estudios de Política Exterior S.A. and at the Centre for International Studies of the Lisbon University Institute. She has been awarded “la Caixa” Fellowship and Yuste Foundation Carlos V grant to conduct her studies.

She is a passionate about political impact and believes in using research together with policy and advocacy for the advancement of human rights. She has combined her studies with leading roles in civil society organisations since the age of 14, holding different responsibilities from the local to the European level. During 2023-2024 she was the President of the European Youth Forum. Currently, she is member of the Steering Board of several civil society organisations for human rights.