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Colloquium + Practice Job Talk with Annjulie Vester - Nov 6
Annjulie Vester is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science at UC Santa Barbara studying the political economy of armed conflict. Specifically, her research focuses on how rebel groups use different revenue sources to finance rebellion and how they govern through institutions. In a secondary research agenda, she studies the politics of finance and voting at the UN General Assembly.
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The Social Roots of Asian American Partisanship with Dr. Tanika Raychaudhuri - Oct 23, 2025
Dr. Tanika Raychaudhuri is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Rice University. She earned her Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University and previously held appointments at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Houston. Her research focuses on political behavior, civic engagement, and immigrant communities in American politics.
Continue Reading The Social Roots of Asian American Partisanship with Dr. Tanika Raychaudhuri - Oct 23, 2025
An American Promise: 20th Century US Military Naturalization with Alfredo Gonzalez - Sunday, Nov 2
Join Assistant Professor Alfredo Gonzalez as he explores the boundaries of military social welfare between WWI and the War on Terror, when military naturalization policy significantly changed from guaranteeing legal citizenship to merely expediting an immigrant’s ability to apply for naturalization.
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Faculti Interview with Dr. Alison Brysk
Use QR code below to view Dr. Brysk's full interview.
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Congratulations Professor Masterson - Washington Post Interviewee
Please join us in congratulating our own Professor Daniel Masterson for his impactful interview in a September 28th Washington Post article entitled, "1 million people have returned to Syria since fall of Assad, U.N. says." To read Professor Masterson's full interview, visit the article on the Washington Post.
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Making an Impact with a Political Science Degree: Ralph Carmona’s Journey - October 2nd, 2025
Ralph Carmona, UCSB PhD in Political Science, built a career as a leading lobbyist, UC regent, and civic leader. He served as chief lobbyist for Bank of America’s California division, represented a major utility district, and later became active in Portland, Maine politics, including a run for mayor. Today, Carmona pairs his passion for marathon running with advocacy for Alzheimer’s awareness and research, drawing on his own diagnosis and clinical trial participation. His story shows how a political science degree can lead to social impact and meaningful contributions to public life.
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APSA Oral History Project with Dr. Pei-te Lien
Click to view Professor Lien's APSA interview.
Continue Reading APSA Oral History Project with Dr. Pei-te LienCongratulations to Jerry Cohen for his latest book release!
Political Science Newsletter
Past-Editions Archive
The Department of Political Science published an annual newsletter from 2000 until 2015. The archive of newsletters can be found on this page.
Spring 2000
- Students Travel and Learn at the UCDC Program
- Benjamin J. Cohen Explores the Geography of Money
- Bruce Bimber Wins 1998-1999 Distinguished Teaching Award
- Kathleen Bruhn Brings Research on Mexican Politics to the Classroom
- Marilyn Lee Endows Larry Adams Internship Award
Spring 2001
- Students Learn and Demonstrate Research Skills in Honors Program
- Editorship Recognizes Dana Villa’s Research
- John Woolley Explores the American Presidency
- Laurie Freeman Sheds Light on Japanese Media
- Two Political Science Alumns Return to Campus – Cynthia Carpenter and Kirk Boyd
Spring 2002
- Students Experience the Real World of Congress in SimCong
- Political Forgiveness: A Timely Topic Explored in Professor Digeser’s New Book
- Students Gain Experience and Provide Service in Local Government Internships
- Professor Emeritus Fukui Assumes Presidency of Hiroshima Peace Institute
Spring 2003
- Mastering Methodology Challenges and Rewards Students
- The “Protest Generation” Remains Politically Active
- Faculty Research Profiles:
Jim Adams – Shifting Political Party Ideologies;
Aaron Belkin – Gays in the U.S. Military: A Question of Public Policy;
Kathleen Bruhn – Political Parties and Social Movements in Mexico and Brazil;
Benjamin Jerry Cohen – The Future of Money;
Rose McDermott – Effects of Illness on Foreign Policy Decision-Making;
Christopher Parker – Veterans, Citizenship, and Voting Rights;
and Dan Villa – New Explorations of the Meaning of Citizenship
Spring 2004
- Transitioning to the Real World – Michael Hall, Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, Thomas Lum, Laura Dodge, Jeffrey Chwieroth, Gigi Gokcek, Tom Knecht, Diane Johnson, Bonnie Field, and Chris Cook
- Fast Facts about the Department, 2004
- New Emeriti: Two Valued Professors Retire – Alan Liu and Michael Gordon
- The Politics of Testing
- Marguerite Bouraad-Nash Wins Alumni Teaching Award
- In Memoriam: Gorden E. Baker (1923-2004)
Spring 2005
- Outside Speakers Enrich Intellectual Life of the Department: Regents’ Lecturer, Dr. Carlos Mateo Balmelli, Provides Insight into Latin American Democracies; Norwegian Ambassador, His Excellency Knut Vollebaek, Discusses World Challenges; and International Relations Specialist, Kenneth Waltz
- Post-Election Roundtable: Analysis and Expectations
Spring 2006
- What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
Kevin McClatchy ’86: CEO and Managing General Partner, Pittsburgh
Pirates
Brenda Zomalt (Doby) Flewellyn ’74: Banker to the Entertainment
Industry
Gloria Castillo ’80: Marketing Executive Heads Chicago United
Mark Macarro ’87: Tribal Chairman, Pechanga Band, Luiseño Indians
Andrea Margolis ’88: Public Health Advocate for Children
Brett Bullington ’76: Internet Entrepreneur
Michael Sjerven ’91: Restauranteur - Legislator Hannah-Beth Jackson Brings Real-World Experience to Classroom
- Bimber’s Research Analyzes Effects of Technology on Society
Spring 2007
- Political Science and the Profession of Law
Ronald H. Clark, Ph.D. ’70: The professor who became a lawyer
David Gray Carlson ’74: The lawyer who became a professor
Kathryn Fritz ’81: Intellectual property litigator and managing partner
Douglas R. Irminger ’77: Public defender
Sara Nelson Bloom ’80: A legal career in the financial world
Gayle Binion return to teaching and research
Judge Lodge reflects on political science and the law - Political Communication: A New Focus for the Department
CNN’s Jeff Greenfield Shares Keen Political Analysis
Cory Azumbrado Charles, MA ’88: Senior Director, CNN International - Former Japanese Diplomat, the Honorable Kazuhiko Togo, is New Policymaker in Residence
Spring 2008
- Alumnus Establishes Endowed Chair in International Security Studies
- Political Science and Politics
Yier Shi ’97: From Republican Campaign Strategist to Public Relations
Executive
Jennifer Crider ’95: Communication Director for the Democratic
Congressional Campaign - T-shirts and Globalization: A Campus-Community Forum
- New Faculty Books:
Urban Protest in Mexico and Brazil (Kathleen Bruhn),
International Political Economy: An Intellectual History (Benjamin Jerry
Cohen),
Presidential Leadership, Illness, and Decision-Making (Rose
McDermott) - Milestones: Al Wyner to Retire in June; Joseph Lodge, 1932-2008: Association with UCSB Spanned Forty Years; Larry Adams, 1936-2007: Inspired the Adams Scholarship in Public Policy
Spring 2009
- Politics of Identity: A Research Focus with Diverse Dimensions
The Gender and Multicultural Leadership Project (Pei-te Lien)
The Politics of South Asia and Identity (Amit Ahuja) - Careers in Politics - Coleen Yamamura Clark ’06: Implementing Education Policy at Ground Level
- Lorraine McDonnell Reflects on her Presidential Year (American Educational Research Association)
- Benjamin Cohen Selected as Commencement Speaker
- Emeriti Notes: Liu Pursues New Career as an Artist; Stanley V. Anderson, 1928-2009
Spring 2010
- The First Honors Seminar
- Careers in Political Science: Steve Boilard ’84, Ph.D. ’92: Analyst for California’s higher education issues; Kristen Zimmer Deshler ’87: UCSB’s interface with government and the community
- The Politics of Public Policy and Environmental Politics: Cross Disciplinary Research on Current Problems
- Emeriti Notes: Gayle Binion is Newest Emeritus Faculty Member; Updates: Roger Davidson, Michael Gordon, Tom Schrock
Spring 2011
- Public Presentations: New Challenges for Honors Students
- Careers in Political Science: Administration
Barbara Morris: A Career in Academic Administration
Brian Mayhew: A Career in Finance - Dissertation Research Takes Students to Distant Lands
Stuart Gray: Comparing Ancient Greek and Indian Political Thought
Karen Pitakdumrongkit: A Multinational Case Study of the Negotiation
Process - Faculty Books: Benjamin Jerry Cohen – The Future of Global Currency: The Euro versus the Dollar
Spring 2012
- Senior Combines Honors Thesis with Rural Development Project
- Careers in Political Science - Gordon Murchie '56: From Foreign Service Officer to Wine Industry Executive
- Bruce Bimber's New Book: Collective Action in Organizations
- Merkl Chronicles Changes in Small Town and Village Scene in Germany
- International Relations Scholar Joins Political Science Faculty: Neil Narang
- Emeriti Notes: Roger Davidson, Haru Fukui, Alan Liu, and Al Wyner
- Stuart Gray Receives Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for 2011-12
- In Memoriam: Anton Vonk, MA '05
Spring 2014
- The Future of the Department: Focus on the Politics of Identity and Environmental Politics
- Undergraduate Advising
- Class of 2013 Alumni Participating in Prestigious Fellowships: Danielle Pietro (Coro Fellowship) and Ross Zelen (California Capital Fellowship)
- Department Celebrations
Faculty Accomplishments: Bruce Bimber, Benjamin Jerry Cohen,
Heather Stoll, M. Stephen Weatherford
Alumni Accomplishments: Jeffrey Chwieroth (Ph.D., 2003),
Manoutchehr M. Eskandari-Qajar (Ph.D., 1984); and Noelle Norton
(Ph.D., 1994) - Faculty Research Highlights: Garrett Glasgow, Neil Narang, Bruce Bimber
- 2012-2013 Department Award Winners
Spring 2015
- The Larry Adams Scholarship: Celebrating 15 Years of Vision, Ideas, and Practicality
- Steve Wiener’s Retirement
- Melissa Immel’s (BA 2015) Internship with First Lady Michelle Obama
- In Memoriam: Dean E. Mann (1927-2014) and Alan J. Wyner (1941-2014)
- UCSB MUN Team wins Outstanding Delegation for second year in a row
- New Faculty: Bridget Coggins
- Alumni Updates: Tom Garrison (M.A. 1980), Allison Anderson Heiduk (B.A. 1990), Lindsey Harrison Lupo (B.A. 1993), Sameer Pandey (B.A. 2014), William Statler (B.A. 1973)
- Faculty Accomplishments: Bruce Bimber, Benjamin Jerry Cohen, M. Kent Jennings, Lorraine McDonnell, and Andrew Norris