Helena Varela has a degree in Geography and History with a specialty in American History from the Complutense University of Madrid, a Master in Social Sciences from the Center for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences of the Juan March Institute of Studies and Research and a Doctor in Political Science, Sociology and Social Anthropology from the Autonomous University of Madrid. Her research projects focus on democratic transition and consolidation processes. She approaches her studies from the neo-institutional perspective and from the impact of institutional design on democratic consolidation processes. The quality of democracy and the functioning of the legislative branch are other topics of interest to her.