Flavia Batista da Silva: Researching How Citizens Shape Democracy

Originally from Brasília, Brazil's capital, Flavia Batista da Silva is a Ph.D. candidate in Government and Politics. Drawn to the program by a longstanding interest in how democracies function—and why they sometimes fail—Flavia found that UMD offered the tools, intellectual support, and scholarly community needed to pursue complex questions about political behavior and democratic governance.

She is focusing her dissertation on comparative political behavior in Latin America, with an emphasis on polarization, misinformation, and democratic backsliding. A key focus of her work is understanding public support for presidential impeachment—exploring when and why citizens endorse the removal of elected leaders. This line of inquiry sheds light on the broader health of democratic systems and how citizens shape political accountability and institutional legitimacy. The research contributes to global conversations about the resilience of democracy in turbulent times.

At UMD, Flavia is an active member of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center (LACS), the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Comparative Social Science (ILCSS), and the Luso-Brazilian Association. These communities have provided invaluable spaces for collaboration, mentorship, and belonging. As she reflects on her academic journey, Flavia acknowledges the challenges of studying abroad: “Being an international student is tough”, she shares. “Pursuing a degree far from home, in a language that’s not your first, and away from your loved ones is no small feat. But we’re doing it–and that’s something to be incredibly proud of. Remember: you are amazing just for being here. Keep pushing fearlessly forward, and don’t forget to celebrate yourself along the way!”