Surina Naran

Surina Naran

Surina Naran

  • CDDRL Undergraduate Communications Assistant, 2025-26

Biography

Surina Naran is a Research Assistant at the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, a junior currently political science with concentrations in Elections, Representation, and Governance and International Relations. She has worked both on the research side of politics, as well as in several government offices. Surina is interested in democratic structures, the strength of institutions, and democratic backsliding. 

In The News

Adrienne LeBas presented her research in a CDDRL seminar on February 27, 2026.
News

Social Intermediaries and Statebuilding

Adrienne LeBas explores whether social intermediaries with strong state capacity can help build tax revenue.
Social Intermediaries and Statebuilding
Natalie Letsa presented her research in a CDDRL seminar on February 5, 2026.
News

Understanding Political Participation Under Authoritarian Rule

Natalie Letsa explores why some citizens choose to get involved in politics, while others do not, and why, among those who do, some support the opposition, while others support the ruling party. 
Understanding Political Participation Under Authoritarian Rule
Emil Kamalov presented his research in a CDDRL seminar on January 15, 2026.
News

Do Incentives Matter When Politics Drive Emigration?

SURF postdoctoral fellow Emil Kamalov explains why political freedoms outweigh material benefits for many Russian emigrants considering return.
Do Incentives Matter When Politics Drive Emigration?