Sofia Collignon

Dr. Sofia Collignon is a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics and Director of the Mile End Institute at Queen Mary University of London. She holds a BA from ITESO, an MSc from the University of Essex, and a PhD from University College London (UCL). Her research focuses on gendered political violence, harassment of political elites, and electoral competition, with particular attention to the UK, Western Europe, and Mexico. She employs quantitative methods such as panel data, multilevel models, and survey experiments, complemented by qualitative interviews.

Dr. Collignon’s impactful work has garnered international acclaim, including awards for her studies on gendered effects of political harassment and voter responses to candidate misconduct. She advises governments and NGOs on issues of public life safety, collaborating with organizations like the Local Government Association. Her work has been featured in outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, and CNN. She currently supervises PhD students researching topics like gendered political violence and electoral competition.

As Director of the Mile End Institute, she bridges academic research with public policy engagement. Her teaching includes modules on comparative politics and political communication. Key publications highlight the intersection of elite politics with public opinion, particularly regarding the barriers to women’s political representation and the consequences of political misconduct.