Ailsa Henderson

Ailsa Henderson is a Professor of Political Science at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on political behavior, regionalism, voting patterns, and comparative territorial politics, with a particular emphasis on Scotland, the UK, and Canada. She has held prestigious fellowships, including membership in the Academy of Social Sciences and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and has been recognized with awards such as the John McMenemy Prize.

Education: She earned a Baccalauréat ès sciences sociales in Political Science from the University of Ottawa and an MSc in Social Research from the University of Edinburgh.

Research Interests: Her work examines electoral systems, territorial politics, nationalism, civic engagement, and public opinion. She has supervised numerous PhD students on topics ranging from electoral governance in Nigeria to First Nations activism in Canada.

Key Projects: She leads the Scottish Election Study and has contributed to initiatives like the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland. Her research explores the impact of regional identities on voting behavior and the dynamics of multinational states.

Awards and Recognition: In addition to her fellowships, she received the 'Best Impact from a Data-led Project' award in 2022 for innovative contributions to political analysis.