Research

Find out more about the Department of Political Science's faculty research specializations.

professor holding his book while seated in a chair in his office. Map of electoral districts on his computer screen in the background

A Top Research University

The University of Mississippi is designated as a R-1 Highest Research Activity University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. We are in an elite group of 2.5% of universities nationwide for world class research faculty, spending on research, and production of graduate students.

The Department of Political Science has faculty and students working in diverse areas of the field of political science. Here are examples of our faculty expertise.

Within American politics: political behavior, elections, courts, political psychology, state politics, political parties, and race and ethnicity
Within Comparative politics: political behavior, social movements, and institutions with area specialists in Latin America, the Middle East, China and East Asia, and Western Europe
Within International politics: international conflict, civil war, international organizations, and the international political economy

In support of the research mission of the department, faculty and students engage with funded research projects with the Social Science Research Laboratory located in the department. They conduct social science research on issues of importance that affect the citizens of Mississippi and beyond.

Faculty Research Specialization

Here are some particular areas of research strength among our faculty.

image of a voter booth with cardboard shields that have American flag and the word vote on the side

Political Behavior

What influences a person or group's political views, ideology, and levels or types of political participation? Or, how does someone's political behavior influence groups, institutions, or public policy? Using many different kinds of research methodologies, political scientists can study the political behavior of individuals or groups within the US and in other countries.

Political Behavior

image of the United Nations building in New York City

International Conflict & Intl. Organizations

International conflict includes questions of political violence or armed conflict between or within nations as well as international economics. International organizations include different kinds of intergovernment organizations such as the United Nations or World Bank as well as international non-governmental organizations.

Intl. Conflict & Intl. Org

drawn image of many people in a crowd with lots of different ethnicities represented

Race and Politics

How do race and politics interact? Does a person's race influence their political opinions and behavior? Do different public policies and decisions differently impact groups of people in society? There are many research questions of political behavior, institutions, and public policy within the area of race and politics.

Race and Politics

New Book Release!

Dr. Steven Schaaf, Assistant Professor of the Middle East, is a co-author of a recent book published by the University of Michigan Press.

The authors provide a more nuanced view of the state and decision-making in authoritarian regimes. By focusing on three institutions of the state— legislatures, constitutional courts, and official religious institutions—they explain how the balance of power works within the governing structure of the state and act as possible constraints on the authoritarian leader(s).

Social Science Research Laboratory

Founded in 1995, the Social Science Research Lab (SSRL) operates on a fee-for-service basis and has extensive experience in research design and methodology, program evaluation, economic development, survey research, needs assessment, advanced econometrics, and market research. SSRL conducts studies for state and local government agencies, private business and industry, university offices, and faculty members working on grants.
Social Science Research Laboratory