Political Behavior
The analysis of how political opinions are formed to make decisions and engage in actions like voting, campaigning, and participating in civic activities.
Distinguished Faculty Shaping Political Science Research
Our faculty come from top universities across the country and have thrived here, driving innovative research in political science. Graduates of Michigan State University are making a big impact, with one leading studies on judicial behavior and public opinion, while another focuses on race, gender politics, and public policy in state and local elections. From Indiana University, we have experts pushing the boundaries in party politics, state governance, and representation.
We’re also proud to have faculty from other renowned institutions. A graduate of Ohio State University is exploring voting behavior and political parties, while a University of California-Davis alum provides key insights into Latin American politics and democratic transitions. Our scholars from the University of North Texas and the University of Rochester bring expertise in campaigns, minority politics, political psychology, and the presidency. Lastly, a faculty member from Stony Brook University adds depth in the study of public opinion and political communication. Together, they shape the future of political science.
Meet the Faculty Behind the Research
Miles Armaly
- Associate Professor of Political Science
Robert Brown
- Professor of Political Science
John Bruce
- Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science
Kesicia Dickinson
- Assistant Professor of Political Science and African American Studies
Marvin King
- Associate Professor of Political Science & African American Studies
Jonathan Klingler
- Associate Professor of Political Science
Gregory Love
- Professor of Political Science
Jonathan Winburn
- Professor of Political Science and Director of Social Science Research Laboratory
Julie Wronski
- Associate Professor of Political Science
Research and Grants
Rule Significance and Interbranch Competition
Dr. Jonathan Klingler and his co-author published an article in the American Political Science Review. Using a new model on nearly 40,000 bureaucratic rules since 1995, they find that the president and Congress influence rule promulgation in a nuanced way.
Leaders and Crisis
Dr. Greg Love, who works in the subfield of Comparative Politics, is part of a National Science Foundation grant to analyze how leaders communicate with the public during crises and how the public responds. Using machine learning approaches, they are trying to understand how elected leaders respond to crises, and how voters judge them for their responses, ultimately to provide clues to a nation’s political stability and the accountability of its leaders.
Study on the Politics of Military Veteran Identity
Dr. Travis Endicott, a naval veteran, earned his Ph.D. from the department. As a graduate student, he researched how the experience of military combat shapes political opinion. Blending the fields of military psychology and political behavior, he separated veterans by levels of combat experience to connect with their foreign policy attitudes and trust in government.
Resilient Economies
Dr. Marvin King led a series of state-wide meetings to provide professional development and networking for non-governmental organizations and other voluntary groups and institutions with a social mission. Supported by grants from the Skoll Foundation and Higher Purpose Co., these workshops championed the work of social innovators to build community wealth within Mississippi for people of color by supporting ownership of financial, cultural, and political power.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Ella Jordan, a recent graduate with a BA in political science, received a prestigious Stamps Impact Prize, a competitive award to enhance undergraduate student-initiated research projects. With the mentorship of Dr. Miles Armaly, she worked on a project titled: Breaking Barriers or Building Resistance? Female Undergraduates' Response to Body Politicization and Its Impact on Legal Attitudes.
Ella Jordan
BA in Political Science