Melina Niraki is a Social Psychologist who specialises in social psychological research, psychosocial interventions as well as human rights and conflict management. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens, where she is part of the IP-PAD MSCA – ITN network, which focuses on Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Politics of Adolescence & Democracy.

Melina’s experience draws from her work with various NGOs and international organizations. Her main responsibilities included providing psychosocial support to vulnerable populations in the field, as well as project management for national and EU-funded programmes. Her passion lies in merging socially informed research with socially targeted interventions to create positive social change.

At DemocracyNext, Melina collaborates closely with James MacDonald-Nelson, who leads initiatives in urban design and planning, while being involved in other projects, leveraging her expertise to contribute to the organization's mission of fostering democratic and inclusive communities.