Jonathan Laurence

Jonathan Laurence is a Professor of Political Science at Boston College and Director of the Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy. He holds affiliations with Harvard University’s Center for European Studies and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His research focuses on religion and politics in Western Europe, Turkey, and North Africa, with a particular emphasis on Muslim integration and state responses to political-religious empires. Laurence has authored seminal works such as Coping with Defeat (2021) and The Emancipation of Europe’s Muslims (2012), which have received acclaim including multiple APSA awards. He has conducted fieldwork across Europe, Turkey, and North Africa, and held fellowships in France, Germany, and Italy. His media contributions include op-eds in major outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Foreign Affairs, and he has advised policymakers, including roles at the Brookings Institution and the U.S. State Department.

• Education: B.A. (Cornell University), C.E.P. (Sciences Po), M.A./Ph.D. (Harvard University).
• Key Roles: Director, Clough Center; Brookings Senior Fellow (2003–2018); Visiting Professorships in Rome, Berlin, and Paris.

Laurence’s research integrates historical and comparative analysis, examining parallels between Islamic and Catholic responses to state secularization. His work advocates for policies that balance religious freedom with democratic stability, addressing extremism and social cohesion. Recent publications include analyses of Tunisian political compromises and France’s national identity debates, reflecting his engagement with contemporary geopolitical challenges.

Grants and Recognition: American Academy in Berlin Fellow; Four APSA Awards; ORCID: 0000-0002-5402-1435.