Dr Laura Montanaro

Biography

Laura Montanaro is a Senior Lecturer in Political Theory in the Department of Government at the University of Essex. Her research examines the gaps between democratic ideals and outcomes, with a particular focus on equality and practices that can counteract inequality. Her first book, Who Elected Oxfam? published by Cambridge University Press, was a finalist for the C.B. Macpherson Best First Book prize. Prior to joining Essex, she held a Harper Schmidt Fellow in the Society of Fellows at the University of Chicago. Her work has appeared in The American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Politics, and Perspectives on Politics. In 2025, she received a Leverhulme Research Fellowship.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Political Science, The University of British Columbia

• M.A. and B.A. in Political Science, York University

Appointments

University of Essex

• Senior Lecturer, Government, University of Essex (1/10/2020 - present)

• Lecturer, Government, University of Essex (1/9/2014 - 30/9/2020)

Other academic

• Harper-Schmidt Fellow, Society of Fellows, University of Chicago (1/9/2010 - 31/8/2014)