Hometown
Lockport, New York
Educational and professional background
I received my bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Allegheny College. I then received a master’s degree from the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland-College Park. After working for several years at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in Washington DC, I returned to school and received my PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010.
Previous position
Professor of Political Science and Director of the Marquette Civic Dialogues Program at Marquette University.
What types of questions do you address in your research?
Can collaborative and deliberative approaches improve the policymaking process? Does democratic deliberation lead to more innovative solutions to public problems? How can we increase civic engagement in communities experiencing challenges? What is the best way to engage the public around complex scientific issues, from climate change to artificial intelligence?
How did you get interested in this field?
I trace my academic interests to my time as an undergraduate student at Allegheny College. I took several classes that looked at environmental justice from several disciplinary perspectives (political science, history, economics). Allegheny also prioritized experiential learning, which helped me see first-hand the real-world applications of what I was learning in the classroom. My capstone class, for example, explored how the city of Meadville, PA was addressing brownfields remediation. Those experiences inspired me to further my studies in environmental public policy. My interests were also shaped by my community. I grew up in Western New York. It’s a place of profound natural beauty (Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes, the Niagara Escarpment). But it’s also a place that has suffered the effects of deindustrialization, including a legacy of environmental contamination (Love Canal).
What attracted you to the La Follette School?
The La Follette School embodies the Wisconsin Idea. I am very committed to civically engaged research and public service. I was also drawn to the opportunity to join an interdisciplinary faculty as my own training and interests have been deeply interdisciplinary.
How does your research intersect with policymaking?
My research looks at how issues become public problems and get on the policy agenda in the first place. I also study the sources of public innovation and the perceived legitimacy of policy solutions.
What is your approach to teaching?
I work to create an open and inclusive environment for classroom discussion. I am very intentional about how I structure my classes to encourage joint classroom inquiry. I don’t think the “sage on a stage” model is effective. I think students learn best when they are asked to explain their understanding and reasoning to others.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise that you’re excited to share with students?
I love research design. What are the best ways to test our ideas? How do we know whether a policy innovation works? How can we improve evidence-based policymaking? Those are some of the questions that I am excited to investigate with students.
What are you reading or watching currently?
I just finished “The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance” by Dan Egan. I read it while my family was on vacation on Madeline Island, and I found myself thinking a lot about the challenges of nutrient management as I drove across Wisconsin.
Hobbies and interests
I love playing tennis. The tennis court is my happy place. I coached girls’ JV tennis at Madison West when I was finishing up my dissertation. I’m excited to hit at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium again!