About

Micaela is an Honours Student at the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the University of Canberra. She is dedicated to understanding and strengthening democratic resilience in an era of political polarisation. Her research focuses on the interplay between media, democracy, and extremist ideologies in contemporary Australia. She examines the role of alternative media reporting in amplifying exclusionary politics and ideologies while exploring the importance of media literacy in upholding democratic values against manipulated information.

Before commencing her Honours, Micaela completed a Bachelor of Politics and International Relations with a Specialist Major in International Relations and National Security at the University of Canberra. This background, combined with her diverse professional experience across NGO campaigning, renewable energy advocacy, and business development, gives Micaela a unique perspective on the challenges facing modern democracies.

Micaela’s research interests stem from her commitment to healthy democracy and positive social change. She is especially interested in the delicate balance between upholding free speech and addressing the challenges of extremist rhetoric in democratic societies. Ultimately, Micaela seeks to help rebuild trust in democratic institutions and inspire better public dialogue.

Honours Supervisor

Jordan McSwiney