Palmo Brunner is a postdoctoral researcher in the field of Democracy and Governance. Her research and teaching interests intersect across fields such as comparative politics, international relations, migration studies, social movements, and policy analysis. She is particularly dedicated to exploring issues of inclusion, participation, as well as human rights, focusing on marginalized communities often neglected in mainstream political science. In addition, she has led multiple research projects in the field of public health and is trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Palmo Brunner completed her PhD in 2024 within the interdisciplinary "Doctoral Program in Democracy Studies”, where she explored how transnational communities, using the Tibetan diaspora as a case study, navigate the tensions between democracy and autocracy. She focused on how political mobilization and identity formation are shaped by transnational networks, the integration strategies of democratic host countries, and the cross-border influence of authoritarian regimes, all within the context of broader geopolitical shifts such as China’s rise as a global power.

Before embarking on her academic career, Palmo Brunner earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from ZHAW, followed by a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Modern History and Political Science from the University of Zurich. Her focus on democracy, development, and international relations, along with her expertise as a nurse and educator in a hospital, has provided her with a broad and multifaceted perspective on societal and political issues.

Integrating theory and practice is a central tenet of her work. Thus, she is actively involved in various initiatives focused on political education and promoting social participation alongside her academic research.