Claire Elizabeth Stiles is a researcher and political analyst specializing in 21st century U.S. political affairs, with a focus on contemporary political dynamics, institutional power, and social change. Her work centres on the evolution of the Democratic Party, the progressive movement, and the policy debates shaping the current U.S. political landscape.

Her research examines intra party conflict, coalition building, and the role of social movements in influencing Democratic Party platforms and governance. She is particularly interested in how progressive actors engage with electoral politics, policy making, and public discourse, as well as the tensions between ideological ambition and institutional constraint in modern American politics.

Claire also has experience in provincial and federal political campaigns, policy research in the non profit sector, and international comparative work on gender based violence. She has contributed to national and global initiatives including the Canadian Femicide Observatory and the Femicide Watch Platform, bringing a governance and accountability lens to questions of state responsibility.

At the University of Guelph, she co-founded the Guelph International Conflict Observatory, the university’s first student led initiative focused on global affairs and gender justice. She also serves as President of the International Development Society.

She is currently pursuing a dual degree in political science and international development, with academic work focused on U.S. political institutions, progressive political theory, and the relationship between social movements and party politics in the United States.

Outside of her professional career, Claire is an avid backpacker who finds joy and inspiration in travelling the world and broadening her understanding of diverse cultures and political landscapes.