Research Spotlight: Dr Malu Gatto

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and what you do at UCL

I’m a political scientist whose work focuses on the gendered dynamics of political behaviour, representation, and policymaking. I am from Salvador, Bahia (Brazil), and I have been at the Institute of the Americas since 2019. Currently, I am Deputy Head of Department and Director of External Engagement, meaning that I work to establish and maintain the department’s relationship with external actors in academia and beyond. This role reflects the department’s vision to have an impact in and outside of the classroom.

Tell us about your research

I am particularly interested in dynamics of power. Who has power? Who doesn’t? How is it used? What are the consequences of unequal access to power? I most commonly think about these questions from a gendered perspective and explore them by analysing cases from Latin America. For example, in forthcoming work, I enquire how men’s overrepresentation in Latin American legislatures undermines efforts to diversify politics. In a recently published book, I employ interviews with candidates for elected office to understand the obstacles keeping women out of politics in Brazil.

What has been your most memorable career moment so far?

That’s really hard to say. I think that what keeps me going is not one big thing but many little (and not-so-little) things. I now have a book that’s forthcoming, and it took me a really long time to finish it. So, I’m really happy about that.

But in the many years I worked on it, I was also doing other memorable things: co-authoring with really cool people who became very important in my life, travelling to conferences and doing research stays in other universities, teaching awesome students, and seeing the department grow.

But I think if I had to pick one thing, it would be the launch of a book I recently published with a co-author and friend, Débora Thomé, in my hometown, Salvador.

This was my first non-academic publication and, so, also the first that many of my family and friends got to read. It was really great being back in my hometown, in a bookstore packed with dear people who were there to ask questions about my work—and then send me feedback via WhatsApp!

What are your main interests outside work?

I enjoy music, so going to concerts is a big thing for me. I also love art, so I feel very lucky to live in London and get to explore all of the amazing museums and galleries in the city. I also enjoy cooking and hosting people over at home. Lately, my daughter has been obsessed with dogs, so walks in the park have also become a common weekend occurrence.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Oh, finally, an easy question! I would eat the Afro-Brazilian dish caruru (with farofa, of course!) every day if I could. It’s a stew of okra, dried shrimp, peanuts, cashews, ginger, onions, and palm oil. It’s my absolute favourite dish.

What’s your favourite city, and why?

I think I have had many favourite cities at different times in my life. Currently, it’s definitely London. I love many things about it—the extensive range of cultural activities, the liveliness, and the parks! But I think my favourite thing about it is that, because each area of London is so different, it’s like you get many different cities in one!

But I went to college in New York City, and I had an absolute blast and found it really hard to move away. I grew up in Salvador, and that’s the place I still call home.

Where are you happiest?

On the beach, drinking coconut water, and eating fresh seafood!

What book is currently on your bedside table?

To make sure I have the time to read fiction, which is something I really enjoy doing but was struggling to fit into my schedule, I have decided to dedicate my commute to reading novels. I am now reading “The List of Suspicious Things” by Jennie Godfrey.