News

The Political Science Post: Meet Graduate Student George Tsouloufas

George Tsouloufas is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science, specializing in comparative politics and international political economy. Originally from Greece, Tsouloufas studies the rise of far-right parties in Europe, focusing on the distinctions between radical and extreme movements and their implications for democratic stability. Shaped by personal experience during Greece’s financial crisis, his research examines how economic shocks, political decision making, and public attitudes interact across democratic systems.

The Political Science Post: Meet Undergraduate Student Aanuska Tripathi

Aanuska Tripathi is a third-year political science undergraduate whose work reflects a deep commitment to community, leadership, and public service. She channels that passion across campus as a leader in Model United Nations, a student government staffer, a career peer advisor, and a research assistant. Grounded in a desire to support others and create accessible spaces, Tripathi’s work highlights how undergraduate leadership can meaningfully improve both campus life and the broader community.

The Political Science Post: Meet Distinguished Alumna Professor Barbara Bodine

Ambassador Barbara Bodine who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, is a career diplomat whose work spans over three decades in the Middle East and beyond. With experience in conflict zones, counterterrorism, and post-war reconstruction, her career reflects the realities of diplomacy in high-stakes environments. Now a Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy and concurrent Director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.

Give Day, April 9th

Congratulations to Dan Masterson!

Congratulations to Dan Masterson for being selected as the newest Pahl Scholar!

Colloquium - Dan Slater, March 5

Dan Slater is the James Orin Murfin Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Emerging Democracies (@umichDemocracy) at the University of Michigan. He has recently been a visiting scholar at the London School of Economics (LSE), University of Cape Town, and with the Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS) program in Berlin.

The Political Science Post: Meet Professor Morse

Professor Julia Morse studies the politics of information, focusing on how legitimacy, compliance, and communication shape political behavior. Drawing on experience working within the FBI and federal bodies, her research examines how information is presented, interpreted, and manipulated in the digital age. From banking regulation to the role of disinformation in the international arena, Morse explores how narratives shape power and policy. Learn more about how her work connects international governance and 21st century political communication.

The Political Science Post: Meet Professor Mahdavi

Professor Paasha Mahdavi is a leading political scientist challenging how scholars understand energy politics. Shaped by his upbringing and early exposure to extractive economies, Mahdavi’s work bridges economics, electoral politics, and climate policy. Through global research and local environmental advocacy in Santa Barbara, he examines how industry, power, and governance shape environmental outcomes. Learn more about how his personal journey informs his work toward a cleaner, more equitable future.