Dr. Laurence Bherer

Biography

Laurence Bherer is a Full Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Université de Montréal. Her research and teachings focus on democratic practices, particularly citizen participation in public governance, known as participatory democracy. This approach has transformed the relationship between citizens, elected officials, and public administration. She investigates the origins, effects, and spread of participatory mechanisms, and her second area of research is local democracy, encompassing its institutions, reforms, actors, and intergovernmental relations. In Canada, local democracy is a relatively underexplored field in political science, while in several European countries and the United States, it serves as a vital space for studying public policies and representative institutions. Her current research includes topics such as local elections, metropolitan governance, and public transportation policies.

Research Interests