Research

Washington, D.C., offers unrivaled resources for political science research, with dozens of institutions, think tanks and archives providing opportunities to assemble unique data sets. Our master's and doctoral programs train students to become outstanding researchers, and our undergraduate curriculum empowers students to learn the foundations of scholarly research while honing their individual interests.

Department faculty are prolific authors in their fields, with a diverse range of specialties across all the major disciplines within political science. Our scholars also collaborate on the interdisciplinary research being conducted at GW’s centers and institutes, and others pair up with colleagues from other universities on projects like the Monkey Cage blog.

 


Core Focus Areas

 


"After working as a research assistant for about a year, Professor Lupu asked if I needed help finding something to do over the summer. ... That internship eventually turned into the full-time job I have at the Klein/Johnson Group, a bipartisan public policy and lobbying firm."

Jeremy Marsh
BA ‘19


Student Research

 

An undergraduate student sitting at a table reading and marking a research document

Undergraduate

Undergraduate research and scholarly writing are fundamental to the political science discipline’s theoretical and empirical work. Undergraduate students across the department learn to be well-rounded researchers through writing-intensive coursework and opportunities that include participation in the Politics and Values Programinternships and conferences hosted by the Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society. Students are encouraged to reach out to professors and graduate teaching assistants for research support and guidance on how to leverage their projects into fellowship and job applications.

Resources and Opportunities

Three minute thesis competition winner Elizabeth Pertner

Graduate

Our graduate students are actively engaged in all professional aspects of the political science field, frequently winning prestigious awards and grants from GW as well as external sources like the American Political Science Association and the International Studies Association. Graduate student research has appeared in journals including The International Journal of Middle East Studies, Law & Society Review, Foreign Affairs and American Politics Research. Alumni of the graduate program have secured jobs with research organizations including the Global Governance Institute, the Congressional Research Service and more.

Graduate Student Publications

 


Facilities and Institutes

Political Science Department faculty work with a variety of esteemed research centers and institutes, both within the George Washington University and throughout Washington, D.C.

 


In the Spotlight

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Ethan Lynne Elected President, Liz Stoddard Vice President of SGA

Political Communication major Ethan Lynne becomes president after serving as VP, while Political Science major Liz Stoddard moves from CCAS senator to vice president.

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Revolutionary Tales: Darianny Bautista Transforms Her Challenges into Life of Leadership

Once uncertain about her future, Darianny Bautista, a fourth-year political science and philosophy major, now thrives as a student leader, advocate, and mentor at GW.

George

GW Graduate Programs Shine in Latest Rankings from U.S. News & World Report

GW's political science program was ranked 37th in the nation in the latest U.S. News & World Report list of top advanced-degree programs.

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Preserving the Presidency: A Conversation with Lindsay Chervinsky

Lindsay Chervinsky, BA '10 in Political Science and History, is a renowned presidential historian and the executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library.

CCAS Dean with Professor Christopher Warshaw

In Video: Our Democracy at Work

CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck in discussion with Political Science Professor Christopher Warshaw.