Former Kellogg Doctoral Affiliate Luis L. Schenoni, now an associate professor and director of the Security Studies Programme at University College London, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Rising Star Award by the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). The jury recognized Schenoni for his outstanding academic record and significant contributions to the field of political science, particularly in the areas of state building and international conflict, with a focus on Latin America.
The ECPR Rising Star Award is presented annually to an early-career scholar who demonstrates exceptional promise and achievement in political research. Schenoni is the fifth recipient of this prestigious honor.
Schenoni’s recent work, including his acclaimed book Bringing War Back In (Cambridge University Press, 2024), has garnered praise for its innovative approach to understanding state formation through the lens of war outcomes rather than mere war preparation. His research challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that, in Latin America, the consequences of nineteenth-century wars-particularly for the victors-were decisive in shaping modern state institutions. The book has been described by leading scholars as “theoretically ambitious and consequential, empirically savvy and persuasive, substantively rich and razor-sharp.”
Beyond his book, Schenoni’s scholarship has appeared in top-tier journals, including the American Journal of Political Science, International Security, and International Studies Quarterly. His research employs a rigorous mixed-methods approach, combining historical analysis, statistical modeling, and case studies to examine the long-term impacts of conflict on state capacity in Latin America.
Schenoni holds a PhD in political science from the University of Notre Dame and has held academic positions at the University of Konstanz and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. He has previously received recognition for his work, including the 2020 LASA Award for Best Paper on Political Institutions.
In announcing the award, the ECPR highlighted Schenoni’s “outstanding academic record throughout his career to date,” noting that his research has already had a significant impact on the study of political development and international relations.
Schenoni’s recognition as the 2024 ECPR Rising Star underscores his growing influence as a leading voice in comparative politics and international security studies.
Click here to read the full laudation.