Sebastian Royo

Sebastián Royo is a Professor of Political Science at Clark University and served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs from 2021 to 2024. Previously, he held leadership roles at Suffolk University, including Vice President of International Affairs and Acting Provost. He is affiliated with Harvard University’s Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies and the Elcano Royal Institute in Madrid. His research focuses on comparative political economy, Iberian politics, and higher education policy.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Political Science, Boston University (1997)
• M.A. in International Relations, Boston University (1993)
• M.B.A. in Business Administration, Boston University (1993)
• Other in Law, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1999)

Research Interests: Royo specializes in the intersection of political institutions and economic policies, particularly in Southern Europe. His work examines the impacts of EU integration, banking crises, and democratization processes. Recent studies include analyses of U.S. electoral dynamics and the geopolitical implications of financial crises.

Professional Affiliations:

• Senior Research Associate at Elcano Royal Institute
• Editorial Board Member of South European Society & Politics
• Founder and co-chair of the American Political Science Association’s Iberian Studies Group
• Member of the New England Commission of Higher Education (since 2021)

Key Contributions: Royo has authored/co-authored numerous books, including Why Banks Fail: The Political Roots of Banking Crises in Spain (2020) and edited volumes on Spain’s political economy and EU integration. His recent presentations at Harvard address institutional change in higher education and the role of populism in democratic systems.