McMaster Global Ambassador Dr. Andrea Lawlor visits Université Grenoble Alpes

From April 20-22, 2026, Global Ambassador Dr. Andrea Lawlor, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, visited Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), one of McMaster’s strategic international partners.  

The visit built on Dr. Lawlor’s participation in the McMaster and Grenoble International Colloquia (MaGIC) initiative, a McMaster-UGA project that aims to connect researchers and students working on shared topics. In November 2024, Dr. Lawlor presented alongside Prof. Sonja Zmerli, an internationally renowned researcher of political trust of Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA, during MaGIC: Political Science, Challenges in Democratic Societies: Political Polarization and Economic Inequality. 

In April, Dr. Lawlor was welcomed to UGA by Zoraida Martinez-Racini, Project Manager for Strategic Partnerships of UGA’s International Outreach Office. Her visit involved a tour of the UGA campus as well as meetings with key contacts and colleagues, including Prof. Eric Bonnetier, McMaster’s scientific contact.  

Further welcomed to the UGA-affiliated PACTE Research Centre, Dr. Lawlor met with Centre Director Laurence Dumoulin and faculty members specializing in public policy and electoral behaviour during her visit. These discussions highlighted shared research priorities and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. 

Her visit also saw a meeting with MaGIC colleague Prof. Zmerli, and members of the Sciences Po Grenoble community, further strengthening academic ties between the institutions. 

“I was delighted by the warm welcome from the International Office and faculty representatives during my visit to UGA,” said Dr. Lawlor. “It was clear there was great enthusiasm to continue to build upon the already strong, collaborative partnership between our two schools.”  

She also noted the unique strengths of the partner institution, stating: “UGA is a dynamic research environment on a beautiful campus; it offers many opportunities for students and faculty to benefit from the extraordinary partnership opportunities that exist between our campuses.” 

We look forward to the McMaster-UGA opportunities to come.  

As a McMaster Global Ambassador, Dr. Lawlor plays a key role in advancing the university’s international strategy by fostering meaningful partnerships, supporting collaborative research, and enhancing global learning opportunities for students. If you are interested in becoming a McMaster Global Ambassador, please click here.  

McMaster and UGA have a rich history of collaboration, spanning more than 40 years. Recent joint initiatives include the MaGIC: FORESEE session, a November visit from the UGA President to McMaster, and the implementation of a McMaster-UGA Mathematics & Statistics Dual Degree. To learn more about the McMaster-UGA relationship, please click here.