Dr. Shani received MA and PhD degrees in political science from Princeton University and a BA in philosophy and political science and an MA in political philosophy, both from Tel Aviv University. For her doctoral work, Danielle researched the origins of citizens' interest in politics, especially the ways in which socioeconomic status, family socialization, school environment and formative events influence the development of a motivation for political participation. Her dissertation was selected co-winner of the Best Dissertation Award in Political Psychology for 2010 by the American Political Science Association. She was also a Fulbright Scholar, a Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson Scholars, and the winner of the Knesset award for exceptional academic achievements. Previously she worked at the Israel Democracy Institute and established the Israeli Democracy Index project. As a journalist, she was head of the news desk at the Yediot Achronot newspaper, and served as the political correspondent, news editor and broadcaster on Galei Tzahal radio.