Welcome to the Graduate Student Spotlight!
Recent Graduates
PPPA is thrilled to celebrate the graduation of four PhD students in 2023!
Dissertation Titles:
Steffanie Chritz
Understanding policy changes in the US states: Vaccine exemptions during the 2019 Measles outbreak
Furkan Cakmak
When losing matters: An analysis into the dynamics of affective polarization through emotions and media choice in politics
Chase Riddle
How Genocide works: The Language, psychology and understanding behind mass atrocity
Orion Yoesle
“I’m a human being, dammit!” – Partisan media, sociopolitical identity, emotional arousal, and incivility-seeking behavior
Graduates of our doctoral program have taken tenure-track jobs at:
Air War College
Louisiana State University
Central Washington University
University of Connecticut
Ohio Wesleyan University
Eastern Washington University
University of Rhode Island
Hastings College
Mississippi State University
Naval War College
Texas A&M International
Furkan Cakmak
Research Interests:
Political Psychology, American Politics, and Political Communication
Degree:
Political Science Masters and Doctoral
Dissertation Title:
When losing matters: An analysis into the dynamics of affective polarization through emotions and media choice in politics
Dissertation Chair:
Dr. Travis Ridout
Graduate Committee:
Dr. Thomas Preston
Dr. Martha Cottam
Graduation Date:
Summer 2023
Where to next?
Wesleyan University in Middletown Connecticut for a Post-Doctoral Research Position.
Fernanda Buril
Interests:
Political psychology, developing nations, international politics and relations.
Degree:
Political Science Masters and Doctoral
Graduation Date:
2015 & 2018
Current Position:
Deputy Director at the Center for Applied Research and Learning at The International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Current Work:
Fernanda’s areas of expertise revolve around political transitions, electoral operations, conflict and security and electoral integrity. She co-authored “IFES’ Safeguarding Health and Elections” one of the first comprehensive guides on how to hold elections safely during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Kathleen Searles
Research Interests:
News media, campaign advertising, political behavior, and political psychology.
Degree:
Political Science Masters and Doctoral
Graduation Date:
2011
Current Position:
Associate Professor in Political Communication at Louisiana State University. Kathleen also serves on the editorial board for #WomenAlsoKnowStuff, a site designed to amplify the voice of women political scientists in public discourse.
Current Research:
Kathleen’s recent work focuses on using bio-metrics to better understand the effects of political television ads and direct mail.
