Rebecca Tapscott

Dr. Rebecca Tapscott is a Senior Lecturer in Political & International Studies at the University of Glasgow (since 2024). Previously, she held an Ambizione Research Fellowship at the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy (2017–2023) and was a Lecturer at the University of York (2023–2024). She earned her PhD from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and has held visiting roles at the London School of Economics and the University of Edinburgh.

Her research focuses on authoritarian power dynamics, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Uganda. Key themes include state authority, gender (especially masculinities), political violence, and research ethics. She authored Arbitrary States: Social Control and Modern Authoritarianism in Museveni's Uganda (Oxford UP, 2021) and is a leading voice on ethics in social science research.

Tapscott’s recent work critiques institutional ethics review processes, advocating for reforms tailored to social sciences. She co-edits Civil Wars (Reviews Editor) and serves on the board of International Studies Review. Her awards include the Fletcher School’s Alfred Rubin Prize (2011) and the ISA Carl Beck Award (2017).

• Key Research Areas: Authoritarianism, political violence, policing, gender studies, Sub-Saharan Africa, research ethics
• Editorial Roles: Reviews Editor at Civil Wars, Associate Editor at Research Ethics

Her publications span academic journals like Perspectives on Politics and International Affairs, addressing topics from vigilante dynamics to ethical research practices. She is also a member of the UK Young Academy (2024–2029).