Cynthia Campello

Hi, I'm Cynthia! I'm a Ph.D. student in Political Science at the University of Kentucky, where I study judicial behavior from a comparative perspective. I'm interested in a simple but under-examined question: how do political violence and media pressure shape the way high courts behave — and what does that do to public trust in them? My research centers on Brazil's Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF), examining how these pressures influence judicial conduct and perceptions of legitimacy, with an eye toward what this reveals about courts more broadly.

I'm originally from Belém do Pará, Brazil. Before starting my Ph.D., I spent eight years practicing law — I earned my J.D. from the Federal University of Pará, passed the bar in 2016, and completed an M.A. in Law (summa cum laude) focused on Human Rights and Labor Law. I co-founded a civil and labor litigation firm in Belém, taught labor law, and worked closely with unions and small businesses, experience that still shapes how I think about power, institutions, and access to justice.

Outside of research and teaching, I love reading biographies, exploring national parks, and hiking. I value the chance to connect with people across legal and political traditions and to keep learning from the perspectives of my colleagues and students.