WashU Political Science

Starting off the week with some great news!

Last Friday marked the final day of the 2026 WUSTEPS program! Our 2026 cohort worked extremely hard over the last two weeks learning all about research techniques, the world of graduate school and academia, and the behind the scenes of political science PhD programs. Their final day culminated in research topic presentations and a delicious lunch with the polisci team.

Congratulations to our entire 2026 cohort! Also, thank you to all the faculty members and current PhD students -- Jaclyn Kaslovsky, Lucia Motolinia, Abbie Eastman, Carly Wayne, Taylor Carlson, Michael Strawbridge, Michael Olson, Christopher Lucas, Keith Schnakenberg, Carlo Horz, Shiran Victora Shen, Christy Qui, Ophelia Vedder, and Stephanie Shady -- who offered their insights and expertise throughout this year's program. Wishing the cohort the best of luck for the rest of the summer and into the next academic year!

To learn more about WUSTEPS, our Political Science PhD Prep Program, including how to donate to keep the program running, visit the WUSTEPS website: www.polisci.washu.edu/wusteps.

Political Science faculty, and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dan Butler, is featured in a new article in The Source from WashU Arts & Sciences.

Butler discussed his research from a working paper, titled, “The Party’s Disappointed Dropouts: Presidential Nominations and Participation in Future Primary Elections". The paper provides evidence that primary donors and voters who dislike the winning presidential primary candidate are less likely to donate and participate in future party primaries. Butler says by opting out of the primaries, people give power to the leaders of the parties to pursue agendas that are not responsive to moderate voters' preferences.

“Our research shows that people are selecting out of the primary process, which means there is little opposition to the president within the party,” Butler said. “This self-selection out of the primary process has empowered Trump. The more moderate Republicans are not showing up to vote for the Thomas Massies and John Cornyns of the party.”

Read the full article in The Source today!: https://buff.ly/EjM7GBP

Assistant Professor Victoria Shen has received the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU).

The Ralph E. Powe awards are competitive research awards that provide seed money for junior faculty members to conduct research in one of five disciplines: Engineering and Applied Science, Life Sciences, Mathematics/Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Policy, Management, or Education.

Read more about the award on our website: https://buff.ly/w19tgrN