Political Science Newsletter
Greetings,
I am excited to share with you the wonderful experiences that we provide students and the accomplishments of faculty and staff. As we share our good news, we are also mindful that our metro area and state have had a challenging few months. While the start of the semester usually elicits excitement and joy, the beginning of this spring term has primarily brought fear and sadness. We are saddened by the deaths of the College of Liberal Arts’ alum Alex Pretti and Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King, "We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Throughout these challenges, I am inspired to see our community come together to support one another. Our instructors are adapting the modality of their classes on a day-to-day basis to ensure the safety of our students. Our graduate students have looked out for each other by being flexible in how their colloquia meet. They have shared rides to their in-person class meetings, with our faculty voluntarily assisting with transportation fuel costs. Our undergraduate advising team created the PoliSci Pick-Me-Up Pantry, which provides students with free food, school supplies, and toiletries. Our faculty provide expert analysis to news outlets around the world to discuss events in Minnesota, as well as in global politics. We are proud to see members of our community on campus, in the metro, and beyond use their voice however they can to stand up for what they believe.
We also have several other pieces of good news from these past few months. We hosted our second undergraduate career and internship fair, which nearly 100 students attended. Our students achieved many impressive awards, such as the APSA Diversity Fellowship, Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award, and first place for PhD poster presentations at the Human Rights Day Symposium. Additionally, Christopher Federico published his new book and Tim Johnson launched his project, “On the Docket.”
Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Michael Minta
Department Chair
Our Undergraduate Students
From student groups to research, our undergraduate students seek opportunities to create change and build spaces where they, and everyone, belong.
Undergraduate political science student, Fatima Aden (pictured left), was elected as the new undergraduate student government president.
Read "UMN USG elects Fatima Aden and Izaan Rana as new president and vice president"
In graduate school, Grae Roeder hopes to continue doing work to address the potential of political change, resistance and relationships within, and through, oppressive conditions.
Motivated to make the world a better place, Andy Tao has spent his time at the University of Minnesota involved in a variety of student organizations and campus offices.
Through a variety of research projects, academic opportunities, and impactful mentorship, undergraduate student Amina Hasan has found a place in academia.
Read "Amina Hasan Presents at Eldersveld Emerging Scholars Conference"
Our Graduate Students
Our graduate students are making strides in their research, leading to awards and fellowships. Explore their work in reproductive harm, rhetoric and public opinion, and political participation.
Avantika Singh presented her research “Reproductive Violence as Genocidal Harm: The Case for Distinct Framework.”
Read "Avantika Singh Awarded for Human Rights Day Symposium poster presentation"
Drew Hogan explores how rhetoric affects public opinion, especially when it comes to foreign policymaking. His research has landed him a fellowship in Washington, DC.
Read "Drew Hogan’s Dissertation Earns Predoctoral Fellowship at George Washington University"
Graduate student Caitlyn Barrett’s research reveals how early life and class shape political participation, bridging psychology and political science to explain inequality.
Read "Caitlyn Barrett Explores the Psychological Roots of Political Partisan Gap"
Our Faculty
Our faculty are making an impact through their research, from Professor Timothy R. Johnson launching “On the Docket” to Professor Christopher Federico publishing his new book, “The Authoritarian Divide.”
Timothy R. Johnson’s project presents AI-generated representations of the justices delivering their opinions, making these pivotal moments more accessible to the public.
Read "On the Docket converts Supreme Court audio into AI-generated visuals"
Christopher Federico and his co-authors’ findings have important consequences for how to understand partisan conflict in the U.S. and the health of American democracy.
Read "Christopher Federico on his new book, “The Authoritarian Divide”".
In Case You Missed It
Our faculty share their expertise on the issues that make the front page news.
Timothy R. Johnson was interviewed by FOX 9 to break down what led the U.S. Supreme Court to rule President Donald Trump’s tariffs unlawful, limiting the scope of presidential emergency economic powers. Understanding the SCOTUS tariff ruling.
Dan Myers was interviewed by SBS News to offer insight to the state of ICE raids and protests in Minnesota. Trump’s Minnesota flashpoint.
Kathryn Pearson joined MPR News to make sense of the Trump administration’s escalated federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. What federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota means for law, politics, and history.
Michael Minta was interviewed by NPR to examine why the president decided to turn up the pressure on Minnesota and what Minnesota’s midterm future looks like. How Minnesota became the center of a political crisis.
August Nimtz discussed Donald Trump, ICE, and class struggle with the Socialist Worker. ‘A deep crisis can leave US workers open to ideas from left and right.’
Ron Krebs was interviewed by MPR News to discuss how the United States’ role in Venezuela could reshape U.S. foreign policy and the political impact in Latin America. U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: Was it legal, and what comes next?
