Meg Russell, Reader in British and Comparative Politics, Constitution Unit, University College London

Dr Meg Russell is Reader in British and Comparative Politics in the Department of Political Science, University College London, where she is Deputy Director of the research centre the Constitution Unit. Her research on the Lords began by considering options for reform based on experience of other bicameral parliaments, resulting in her first book, Reforming the House of Lords: Lessons from Overseas (OUP, 2000). Since then she has focused increasingly on how the Lords operates now, following its reform in 1999. She has written numerous reports and papers on the British parliament, and parliaments more broadly, and is frequently cited by policymakers as well as academics. She has acted as a consultant to the Royal Commission on Lords reform (1999-2000), and been an adviser to the Leader of the House of Commons (2001-03) and the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons (2009-10).

Shortlisted for Practical Politics Book of the Year, Paddy Power Political Book Awards 2014

"The Contemporary House of Lords: Westminster Bicameralism Revived is a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis that is readable and accessible to academics, students and the general reader." - Leanne-Marie Cotter, Political Studies Review

"this is an examplar of what an influential academic study needs to be: rigorous, right and written in a way accessible to non-specialists as well as [academics]. The Lords is far from being the most important body in our constitution, but it is far from being unimportant either; and no-one who neglects Meg Russell's study will be entitled to express an intelligent view on its future." - David Lipsey, Political Quarterly issue 85(2)

"[A]n authoritative and very readable scholarly work which is essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary British politics." - Gordon Bannerman, LSE Review of Books