Melina Niraki: ''My Journey as a Cities’ Research Fellow with Democracy Next – A dive into Deliberative Democracy''

From the start of June 2024 and until the end of December 2024, I had the opportunity to join the team of DemocracyNext, in the role of Cities’ Research Fellow, as part of my doctoral secondment. For a few months this experience became part of my daily doctoral life and could be characterized as nothing less than immersive and transformative.

DemocracyNext is an international research and action institute focusing on scaling quality, empowered, and permanent citizens’ assemblies envisioning an alternative democratic paradigm in which deliberative processes prevail. The implementation of citizens’ assemblies aims at empowering and including people to partake in the shaping of decisions that affect their lives.

As a Cities’ programme research fellow, I was offered a unique perspective into how deliberative processes and citizens assemblies can democratize urban planning. My role covered a broad range of responsibilities, all of which challenged me to grow both professionally and personally. I assisted with project coordination, conducting in-depth desk research, engaged in stakeholder mapping and supported the design, implementation and evaluation of the Learning Programme – a core component of the organization’s Cities Programme. This programme involves working closely with a cohort of three cities aimed at building their capacity to implement of citizens’ assemblies. Among my key contributions was to assist in the development of the Learning Programme evaluation strategy and the relevant tools, both quantitative and qualitative, with the aim to ensure that the programme participants’ experiences were meaningfully captured and integrated into future program improvements.

As part of the DemNext team I had the opportunity to participate in internal team meetings and external dissemination events, as well as connect with potential collaborators and stakeholders all over the world. These experiences were not only rewarding but at the same time sharpened my skills and knowledge. I had to navigate myself through a fast-paced, interdisciplinary work environment, and to adapt to new terminologies and work practices.

What made this experience especially valuable was the deep and strong connection between DemocracyNext’s mission and my own research interests in political agency, active citizen engagement and participatory governance.

I was truly inspired by the ways DemNext puts citizens’ engagement at the epicenter of processes that are traditionally dominated by public institutions and elected officials. This approach opens space and possibilities for a more just, inclusive, and effective governance.

While being part of DemNext I came to realize how democratic innovation is not solely about transforming the system—it’s about people. It's about creating spaces where diverse voices are heard, valued, and given real power. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team dedicated to reimagining democracy was a daily reminder of why I entered this field in the first place.

As I returned to my daily routine, I carried with me skills, insights, along with a renewed sense of purpose for the work I am doing. My time at DemNext has deepened my understanding of civic participation, expanded my professional network, and inspired me to continue exploring how democracy can be made more participatory and just.

I’m grateful for this opportunity and look forward to finding new ways to contribute to democratic transformation in both academic and practical contexts.

A huge thank you to Claudia, James and Lucy for making this experience unique, fun and heartwarming.

— Melina Niraki

Melina Niraki (IP-PAD Doctoral Candidate) and James MacDonald-Nelson (Cities Programme Lead at DemocracyNext) at WUF12 in Cairo, November 2024