Leonardo Arriola

Leonardo R. Arriola is an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and currently serves as Dean of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts at the University of California, Merced. His research focuses on democratic representation in multiethnic societies, inter-ethnic political cooperation, and human rights advocacy strategies. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and has been funded by NSF, Carnegie Corporation, and other major institutions.

Education:

• Ph.D., Political Science, Stanford University
• M.P.A., Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs
• B.A., Claremont McKenna College

Research interests emphasize democratization challenges, ethnic politics, and strategies for reducing political violence in divided societies. His work bridges comparative politics and African studies, with notable contributions on Ethiopia’s electoral dynamics and Nigeria’s gender governance reforms.

Awards include the 2023 Graduate Student Mentorship Award and 2024 Beatriz Manz Award for scholarship integrating teaching/service. His mentorship has been recognized through Berkeley’s Carol D. Soc Award. He directs research projects on women’s political participation in Africa and policing institutions’ impact on civil conflict.

Labs/Teams: Associated senior researcher at Norway’s Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI), collaborates with Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP) network.