Laurel Elder is Professor and Chair of Political Science at Hartwick College. She is also the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Hartwick Institute of Public Service.

She teaches about American Politics and designs her courses to help her students become more informed and engaged citizens. 

Her research, which has received national media attention, explores topics relating to gender, public opinion, and representation.

Her fourth book co-authored with Professors Steven Greene and Mary-Kate Lizotte) is titled, Not Going Back: Public Opinion on Abortion in Post-Dobbs America (Temple University Press.)