Luis Eduardo González (1945-2016)

Luis Eduardo González (1945-2016) was an outstanding Uruguayan professor and researcher, who was a great contributor to the development of public opinion studies in Uruguay. He was deaf from birth, and therefore also had trouble pronouncing some words properly. But despite these limitations, he had a brilliant career.

He completed a Masters in Sociology in Argentina (Fundación Bariloche, 1976). Later, in 1988, he acquired a PhD in Political Science from Yale University, with his work “Political Structures and Democracy in Uruguay”, directed by Juan Linz. His thesis was approved with distinction and a publication recommendation, and was published by the University of Notre Dame Press in 1991. This book is a reference for Uruguayan political scientists.

Luis Eduardo was an outstanding teacher of several generations in Uruguay´s best three major universities: Universidad de la República, Universidad Católica del Uruguay and Universidad de Montevideo.

His most distinguished work was in the public opinion studies field. He was one of the major drivers of public opinion surveys in Uruguay during the ’80s, when they did not exist in the country. The accuracy of his pre-election predictions and quick counts the days of the election (announced by TV) elevated him for decades as a person widely recognized by the public. He was also a consultant to several political parties, Uruguayan presidents, and international organizations.

At the institutional level he was Vice-President of WAPOR Buenos Aires regional chapter that creates opportunities for exchange of opinion about polls and public opinion studies in Latin America.

His last participation in a congress was in the WAPOR 68th Annual Conference in Buenos Aires in June 2015, where he exhibited in a Plenary Session on “Polls, Elections and the Media” with Sir Robert Worcester and Alejandro Moreno, among others.