Sara Polo

Sara Polo is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in the Department of Government at the University of Essex. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Rice University. Her research focuses on political violence, including terrorism, civil war, and gender-based violence in conflict settings. Key areas include the migration-terrorism nexus, security impacts of migration policies, and authoritarian institutions' influence on conflict.

She holds a PhD and MSc in Government and International Relations from the University of Essex. Her work has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). Notable publications appear in journals such as the Journal of Politics and International Organization.

Her research explores how migration policies affect intergroup conflict, insurgent state-building, and gendered civilian victimization. Awards include the 2019 APSA Best Paper Award and the 2021-2022 Network of European Peace Scientists Medal. She teaches courses on political violence and conflict analysis, offering academic support Monday 3-5 PM in Office 5.419.

Grants and funding have supported projects on terrorism diffusion, refugee policies, and public violence against women. Labs and collaborations include interdisciplinary teams studying conflict dynamics and security policy implications.