Demian Iglesias Seifert (European Research Council Scholar)
Research Area: Comparative Constitutional Law, Public Policy
Email: (opens in a new window)demian.iglesiasseifert@ucdconnect.ie
Supervisor: Prof Eoin Carolan
Thesis title: Corruption and Trust in Latin America: Understanding the Perceptions from a Socio-Legal Perspective
Abstract
This research investigates the varying levels of corruption perception in Latin American countries, focusing on Argentina and Uruguay case studies. Despite similar levels of institutional development, both countries exhibit contrasting levels of corruption perception. This study utilizes a participatory research approach, employing focus groups to gather qualitative data from citizens in Argentina and Uruguay regarding their perceptions of corruption and trust in institutions. The study identifies key factors contributing to the observed differences in corruption perception through thematic analysis. This research complements other quantitative research by generating qualitative findings that help to understand the results of the surveys. It sheds light on the complex relationship between corruption, trust in institutions, and sociocultural dynamics, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to address corruption effectively and enhance public trust in Latin America.
Biography
Demian holds a law degree (2011) and a specialisation diploma in Administrative Law and Public Administration (2016) from the University of Buenos Aires. In 2021 he was awarded a European Research Council PhD scholarship from the Sutherland School of Law, UCD.
From 2016 to 2020, he worked as a Complaint Channel Coordinator and an Advisor to the Head of the Anti-Corruption Office in Argentina. His professional background includes the implementation of public policies on integrity, transparency and whistleblower protection policies and procedures. His professional experience also featured teaching Constitutional and Administrative Law at the University of Buenos Aires and the National University José C. Paz in Argentina, and he was an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice for the Legal Clinic of the NGO Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ). Demian has published on topics relating to the Council of the Judiciary, institutional strengthening and transparency in public decision-making, freedom of speech, access to public information, and human rights. His research interests are focused on democratic institutions and their relation to human rights, public law, accountability and political corruption.
Research funding/awards
European Research Council Scholar
Publications
"Public opinion as (a) foundation of judicial independence?: mapping the relationship between public perceptions of the courts and their independence", Comparative Constitutional Studies, accepted for publication in volume 4.1 in 2026.
"The Influence of Popular Conceptions of National and Constitutional Identity on the Position of Marginalized or Minority Groups Within a Nation State. A Legal, Empirical, and Comparative Analysis of Four Jurisdictions Through the Prism of Gender", S Gagliardi, E Carolan, S Banerjee, D Seifert, D Rodriguez - Latin American Legal Studies, 2024.
"Argentina turns to the populist far-right", The Loop, ECPR, 2023/09/04, available here:(opens in a new window) https://theloop.ecpr.eu/argentina-turns-to-the-populist-far-right/
“Has Right-Wing Populism Reached Argentina?”, VerfBlog, 2023/8/18, available here: (opens in a new window)https://verfassungsblog.de/has-right-wing-populism-reached-argentina/, DOI: 10.17176/20230818-182853-0
“Mechanisms for citizen participation. Mini-publics with inclusive deliberation”, “Ab”, issue 11, Buenos Aires, 2022, EDUnPAZ, (ISSN: 2545-8485), available here: (opens in a new window)https://publicaciones.unpaz.edu.ar/OJS/index.php/ab/article/view/1407
“Supreme Court case Law Analysis Manual. General Part ”, co-author (“Manual de Análisis Jurisprudencial de la Corte Suprema. Parte General”, Publisher EDUNPAZ, Buenos Aires, 2017. ISBN: 978-987-4110-06-0.).
“Freedom of speech on the Internet. The “search engines” responsibility” (“Libertad de expresión en Internet. La responsabilidad de los “Buscadores”, Published in “Ab”, issue number 2, Legal Science Department National University of Jose C. Paz. EDUnPAZ, Buenos Aires. ISSN 2545-8485).
“Access to Public Information: Criticism to the current system and proposals for a national law” (“Acceso a la Información Pública: Críticas al sistema vigente y propuestas para una ley nacional”. Refereed publication, Published in “En Letra”, issue number 5, Center of Interdisciplinary Studies in Legal and Social Sciences, Buenos Aires. ISSN: 2362-2148 Year III, No5 February 2016).
“The Right to Health Care in the province of Jujuy” (“El derecho a la salud en la Provincia de Jujuy”. In: M. Laura Clérico, Liliana Ronconi and Martín Aldao “Tratado de Derecho a la Salud”. Buenos Aires, 2013, Publisher Abeledo-Perrot ISBN: 978-950-20-2577-8).
Conferences
2024 - Paper Presenter - ECPR General Conference 2024, University College Dublin,
2024 - Discussant - ECPR General Conference 2024, University College Dublin,
2024 - Paper Presenter - 8th Interdisciplinary Corruption Research Forum, Universidade de Lisboa
2023 – Paper Presenter - Academia against Corruption in the Americas Conference, School of Government and Public Transformation, Tecnologico de Monterrey.
2023 – Paper Presenter - ICON-S Comparative Constitutional Studies Conference 2023, UNSW.
2023 – Paper Presenter - ECPR Joint Session 2023 on Judicial Resilience and Democratic Decay, Sciences Po Toulouse.
2023 - Discussant - ECPR Joint Session 2023 on Judicial Resilience and Democratic Decay, Sciences Po Toulouse.
2023 – Paper Presenter - “New and Emerging Voices in Constitutional Law” Centre for Constitutional Law, University College Dublin.
2022 – Chair of the Panel “Citizens’ participation and trust on official institutions in Latin America: methodological challenges” – ICON-S International Society of Public Law Conference.
2022 – Paper Presenter in the Panel “Popular notions of legitimacy and trust vis-à-vis public institutions across Europe and Latin America” – ICON-S International Society of Public Law Conference.