Laia Mestres is PhD in International Relations and European Integration (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and holds a degree in Political Science and Administration (Universitat Pompeu Fabra).

As the Institutional Relations Officer at IBEI, she is responsible for managing relationships with public and private institutions that collaborate with IBEI, as well as with institutions that host students for internships. She also provides support for the monitoring and implementation of the institute's strategic plan and the HRS4R action plan.

As the Equality Officer, she promotes the implementation of the equality plan and serve as the point of contact for issues related to sexual harassment and/or harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

She is also a researcher associated with the research group of the Observatory of European Foreign Policy.