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

Martha Finnemore speaking at a podium

Martha Finnemore Wins ‘Nobel Prize’ of Political Science

The political science and international affairs professor was recognized for her groundbreaking work on areas including global governance.

Masked nursing home resident with gloved hands of doctor

Unionized Nursing Homes Have Lower COVID-19 Rates

Research by Adam Dean shows residents and workers at unionized nursing homes experienced lower mortality and infection rates than at non-unionized sites.

GW student Vidya Muthupillai sorts out letters to mail to swing state voters encouraging them to participate in upcoming elections. (William Atkins/GW Today)

GW Serves: Sophomore Leads Effort to Get Students to the Polls

Vidya Muthupillai works for young voters to seize the moment this election season.

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Largest Gift by Faculty to Fund Unique Center for Community Health for Caribbean and Latin America

Philanthropic support from Holly Gill and GW political science professor James Lebovic will secure their commitment to improving lives in a region they love.

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A Changing Supreme Court: Politics and Polarization

Brandon Bartels explores how public pressure and the increasingly politicized nomination process has changed perceptions of the Supreme Court.