Mala Htun

Mala Htun is a Professor of Political Science at the University of New Mexico, specializing in comparative politics, women’s rights, and social inequalities. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and an A.B. from Stanford University. Her research focuses on gender justice, policy analysis, and strategies to promote inclusive environments in STEM.

Education: PhD in Political Science (Harvard University, 2000), A.B. in International Relations (Stanford University, 1994).

Research Interests:

• Gender equality policies and their implementation
• Comparative analysis of women’s rights legislation
• Impact of feminist activism on policy change
• STEM inclusion and institutional accountability

Awards and Recognition:

• Best Book Award (Human Rights Section, ISA, 2019)
• Andrew Carnegie Fellow (2015)
• Recognized by New Mexico legislature for scholarly contributions (2016)

Leadership Roles:

• Vice President of the American Political Science Association (APSA)
• Chair of APSA’s Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession
• Co-chair of APSA’s Presidential Task Force on Women’s Advancement

Key Contributions: Authored three influential books, including The Logics of Gender Justice (2018) and Inclusion Without Representation in Latin America (2016). Her work bridges theory and practice, analyzing how states respond to gender justice demands globally.