Laura Mészáros, Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellow
Laura Mészáros is pursuing her law degree at Széchenyi István University in Győr, Hungary. Her academic interests began to take shape during her years at Krúdy Gyula Secondary School, where she became fascinated by history, international relations, sociology, psychology, and politics. She believes that history is one of the most valuable disciplines because it not only helps societies understand the present but also offers insight into future political and social developments. Looking back, she considers her high school environment especially formative: the coexistence of vocational and academic education within the same institution reflected the duality that would later define many of her own interests and experiences.
Alongside her legal studies, Laura entered the international fashion industry as a high fashion model, working in cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Athens, Istanbul, and Budapest. Through international campaigns and creative productions, she gained firsthand experience in multicultural environments and had the opportunity to observe the inner workings of marketing, public relations, branding, and production processes behind the scenes. While the fashion and film industries initially meant a creative outlet, these experiences also deepened her awareness of labor rights and human rights issues within global industries.
Laura’s interest in international law and human rights was further shaped by Dr. Gábor Kecskés, under whom she studied International Environmental Cases and Judicial Decisions as well as International Environmental Law. Her research and publications focus on human rights and legal protection mechanisms. These projects ultimately opened a new direction in her interests at the intersection of law, political communication, campaign strategy, and public policy.
Beyond academia, Laura is an active UNICEF volunteer, a member of the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) in Hungary, and a supporter of Amnesty International. She is also interested in digital marketing, graphic design, and communication strategy. In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, music has long played an important role in her life: she studied flute for more than seven years, attended music school, and performed in an orchestra. She believes music is one of the best forms of therapy, capable of connecting people and providing balance even in the most demanding periods of life.
As part of the Széll Kálmán Fellowship, Laura will work at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), where she hopes to gain deeper insight into political communication, democratic engagement, and the role of outreach within organizations supporting democratic institutions worldwide. She will also attend courses in Economics and U.S. Foreign Policy at George Mason University to complement her internship experience.
“I have a strong interest in campaign strategy and believe politics should feel more understandable and approachable for everyday people. In the long term, I hope to contribute to projects that help people engage with public life in a healthier and more constructive way. Ultimately, I hope my work will leave behind something useful and meaningful for others.” – Laura Mészáros