Laura Henderson

Laura Henderson is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's School of Law, specifically affiliated with the Molengraaff Institute for Private Law. She holds a PhD in legal philosophy from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2018), with previous degrees including LL.B and LL.M from the University of Utrecht and studies in anthropology at University College Utrecht.

Her research focuses on Legal Theory, Constitutional Law, European and International Law, with particular emphasis on crisis discourse, democratic judicial decision-making, and the relationship between law and political theory. Dr. Henderson has taught international law, European law, and legal philosophy across multiple institutions including University College Utrecht, Utrecht University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the University of Amsterdam.

Her scholarly work demonstrates consistent engagement with how crisis discourse shapes legal interpretation and judicial decision-making. Her publications reveal a trajectory examining democratic potential within legal systems, particularly during times of political and constitutional crisis, with increasing focus on transnational challenges and populism's relationship to democratic institutions.

• Winner of UU Law School's Wiarda Prize 2021
• Winner of European Journal of Legal Studies' (Young Scholars) General Article Prize 2018/19

Dr. Henderson has held visiting fellowships at the University of California, Berkeley (Fall 2015) and the European University Institute in Florence, Italy (Fall 2019), demonstrating her international scholarly engagement. Her research contributes significantly to understanding how legal systems respond to crises while maintaining democratic integrity.