Dr. Scourfield McLauchlan is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Founding Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where she teaches courses in American Government and Public Law. McLauchlan was awarded the American Political Science Association and Pi Sigma Alpha’s Certificate for Outstanding Teaching in Political Science, USF’s Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the USF Outstanding Faculty Award, and was named one of the Top 25 Women Professors in Florida. Her book Congressional Participation as Amicus Curiae before the U.S. Supreme Court explores how Members of Congress attempt to influence Supreme Court decision-making in specific cases. In addition to her scholarly activities, Professor McLauchlan has extensive experience in American government and politics. McLauchlan worked at the US Supreme Court, the US Senate Judiciary Committee, the US Department of Justice, and the White House. A veteran of several presidential campaigns, she has managed statewide operations across the US, from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. In 2014 she was a candidate for Florida Senate District 22.

McLauchlan was a Fulbright Scholar to Moldova in 2010, and she was awarded a returning Fulbright to Moldova Summer 2012. She returned to Moldova with a group of USFSP students in an alternative Spring Break Study Abroad course in March 2013.  McLauchlan was awarded another Fulbright and traveled to Macedonia during the Spring 2017 semester. Follow her in Macedonia on her blog at www.jainmacedonia.blogspot.com.