UC Merced Political Science
@ucmpolisci.bsky.social
The Political Science Department at UC Merced, offering cutting edge undergraduate and graduate training at the University of California's 10th campus.
"Kids start to have some conception of government as early as kindergarten, but really begin to understand politics in middle or high school."
@ucmerced.bsky.socialPoliSci Prof. Christopher Ojeda spoke with @voxdotcom.bsky.social
www.vox.com/life/467571/...
@ucmerced.bsky.socialPoliSci Prof. Christopher Ojeda spoke with @voxdotcom.bsky.social
www.vox.com/life/467571/...
They’re growing up in the Trump era. Here’s what they want from the next president.
What a president for Gen Alpha might be like.
www.vox.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"Kids start to have some conception of government as early as kindergarten, but really begin to understand politics in middle or high school."
@ucmerced.bsky.socialPoliSci Prof. Christopher Ojeda spoke with @voxdotcom.bsky.social
www.vox.com/life/467571/...
@ucmerced.bsky.socialPoliSci Prof. Christopher Ojeda spoke with @voxdotcom.bsky.social
www.vox.com/life/467571/...
“While there are certainly partisans in both (Stanislaus and Merced counties), there is a long history of representatives who have done well by being what we might call `Valleycrats’ who play very moderate roles.”
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Nathan Monroe
www.kvpr.org/government-p...
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Nathan Monroe
www.kvpr.org/government-p...
Prop. 50 could nudge Stanislaus and Merced counties to the political left, experts say
Voters in Stanislaus and Merced counties showed less enthusiasm for Proposition 50 than elsewhere in California – to no one’s surprise.
www.kvpr.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
“While there are certainly partisans in both (Stanislaus and Merced counties), there is a long history of representatives who have done well by being what we might call `Valleycrats’ who play very moderate roles.”
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Nathan Monroe
www.kvpr.org/government-p...
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Nathan Monroe
www.kvpr.org/government-p...
This Thursday 11/6 is our next Politics & Pastries session! Take a break from the mid-semester hustle to have some coffee and pastries with our faculty in the CAPE office (SSM 130)!
November 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
This Thursday 11/6 is our next Politics & Pastries session! Take a break from the mid-semester hustle to have some coffee and pastries with our faculty in the CAPE office (SSM 130)!
Congrats to Prof. @andrewcshaver.bsky.social and researchers from the Political Violence Lab on their new working paper - Anonymous Online Survey Detection (and Journalist Verification) of Political Violence, Social Unrest, and Human Rights Violations: Results from Bangladesh and Pakistan
In the latest IGCC working paper, Andrew Shaver of UC Merced and a team of researchers at the Political Violence Lab share conclusions from online surveys in Bangladesh and Pakistan that helped uncover otherwise-unreported instances of political violence and human rights violations: bit.ly/3WrjlwH
What Online Surveys Can Tell Us About Violence, Unrest, and Human Rights - IGCC
In this working paper, Andrew Shaver, an assistant professor at UC Merced, and a team of researchers from the Political Violence Lab, draw conclusions based on surveys they ran in Bangladesh and Pakis...
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Congrats to Prof. @andrewcshaver.bsky.social and researchers from the Political Violence Lab on their new working paper - Anonymous Online Survey Detection (and Journalist Verification) of Political Violence, Social Unrest, and Human Rights Violations: Results from Bangladesh and Pakistan
Hey undergrads! Join our faculty and CAPE next Wednesday 10/29 12-1PM in the CAPE office for pizza, candy, and learning about what our programs can do for your future! Plus Spring registration is coming up and this is your chance to get insights on Spring PoliSci courses! All students are welcome!
October 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Hey undergrads! Join our faculty and CAPE next Wednesday 10/29 12-1PM in the CAPE office for pizza, candy, and learning about what our programs can do for your future! Plus Spring registration is coming up and this is your chance to get insights on Spring PoliSci courses! All students are welcome!
Prof. @armenon.bsky.social and coauthor Baobao Zhang explore public views on workplace automation in their new article "Future Shock or Future Shrug? Public Responses to Varied Artificial Intelligence Development Timelines" published in The Journal of Politics.
doi.org/10.1086/739200
doi.org/10.1086/739200
Future Shock or Future Shrug? Public Responses to Varied Artificial Intelligence Development Timelines | The Journal of Politics: Vol 0, No ja
doi.org
October 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Prof. @armenon.bsky.social and coauthor Baobao Zhang explore public views on workplace automation in their new article "Future Shock or Future Shrug? Public Responses to Varied Artificial Intelligence Development Timelines" published in The Journal of Politics.
doi.org/10.1086/739200
doi.org/10.1086/739200
Join @ucmerced.bsky.social Prof. Elaine Denny and special guest Sol Rivas (Executive Director, Valley Onward) on 11/11 at 3PM for a workshop on Imposter Syndrome. All students welcome!
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Join @ucmerced.bsky.social Prof. Elaine Denny and special guest Sol Rivas (Executive Director, Valley Onward) on 11/11 at 3PM for a workshop on Imposter Syndrome. All students welcome!
"Young people end up choosing between conflict with their families and conflict with their peers"
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Christopher Ojeda spoke with @nytimes.com about when children of public figures go public with their dissent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/s...
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Christopher Ojeda spoke with @nytimes.com about when children of public figures go public with their dissent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/s...
When Children of Public Figures Go Public With Their Dissent
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
"Young people end up choosing between conflict with their families and conflict with their peers"
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Christopher Ojeda spoke with @nytimes.com about when children of public figures go public with their dissent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/s...
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor Christopher Ojeda spoke with @nytimes.com about when children of public figures go public with their dissent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/s...
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Prof @marco-alcocer.bsky.social appeared on "Death from Mexico: War of the Drug Cartels," a European documentary on the Mexican War on Drugs, as a topic expert for the Arte channel. www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
Konfliktzone – globale Krisen kurz erklärt - Tod aus Mexiko: Krieg der Drogen-Kartelle - Die ganze Doku | ARTE
Mexiko kämpft seit Jahrzehnten gegen Drogenkartelle, die mit Gewalt, Korruption und Milliardenprofiten das Land destabilisieren. Über 400.000 Menschen wurden getötet, mehr als 125.000 gelten als versc...
www.arte.tv
October 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
@ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Prof @marco-alcocer.bsky.social appeared on "Death from Mexico: War of the Drug Cartels," a European documentary on the Mexican War on Drugs, as a topic expert for the Arte channel. www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
📰 Matt Hibbing, Tarah Williams, Paul Testa, Karra McCray Gibson & Kylee Britzman used an experimental design that allowed some participants to choose their message source, showing substantial messenger effects that would be missed by traditional experiment.
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Does the Messenger Shape the Message’s Effect? Race, Black Lives Matter, and the Efficacy of Social Movement Messages | The Journal of Politics: Vol 0, No ja
www.journals.uchicago.edu
October 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
📰 Matt Hibbing, Tarah Williams, Paul Testa, Karra McCray Gibson & Kylee Britzman used an experimental design that allowed some participants to choose their message source, showing substantial messenger effects that would be missed by traditional experiment.
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Interested in @ucmerced.bsky.social's Political Science Graduate Program? Connect with our Political Science faculty and learn about graduate study opportunities during one of the upcoming 1-hour webinar/Q&A sessions.
Register for a session here: polisci.ucmerced.edu/grads
Register for a session here: polisci.ucmerced.edu/grads
October 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Interested in @ucmerced.bsky.social's Political Science Graduate Program? Connect with our Political Science faculty and learn about graduate study opportunities during one of the upcoming 1-hour webinar/Q&A sessions.
Register for a session here: polisci.ucmerced.edu/grads
Register for a session here: polisci.ucmerced.edu/grads
Congrats to @ucmerced.bsky.social Professor @armenon.bsky.social and coauthors on their new publication "The Effect of Historical Analogies on Foreign Policy Attitudes" in Security Studies!
(1) Are historical analogies effective as a persuasion tactic during foreign policy crises? Our new article in Security Studies finds that while exposure to analogies elicits an emotional reaction, it does not always translate into a shift in policy attitudes. 🧵: doi.org/10.1080/0963...
October 2, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Congrats to @ucmerced.bsky.social Professor @armenon.bsky.social and coauthors on their new publication "The Effect of Historical Analogies on Foreign Policy Attitudes" in Security Studies!
Bobcats! Come join us for the next Politics & Pastries event this Thursday 10/2 10:30-11:30AM in the CAPE Office. This session's faculty are Professors @courtenaymonroe.bsky.social and Elaine Denny, so come say hello and chat with them while enjoying coffee and pastries!
September 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Bobcats! Come join us for the next Politics & Pastries event this Thursday 10/2 10:30-11:30AM in the CAPE Office. This session's faculty are Professors @courtenaymonroe.bsky.social and Elaine Denny, so come say hello and chat with them while enjoying coffee and pastries!
Please join the UC Merced Library for a Faculty Author Series talk featuring Political Science Assistant Professor Christopher Ojeda in KL 232 at noon on Oct 8. Dr. Ojeda will discuss his recent book, The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why it Matters. Register here: ucm.edu/fas-ojeda
September 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Please join the UC Merced Library for a Faculty Author Series talk featuring Political Science Assistant Professor Christopher Ojeda in KL 232 at noon on Oct 8. Dr. Ojeda will discuss his recent book, The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why it Matters. Register here: ucm.edu/fas-ojeda
Professor @marco-alcocer.bsky.social's new publication in The Journal of Conflict Resolution shows that wars between cartels in Mexico increase killings of law enforcement officers and make attacks more brazen. Check it out below!
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Professor @marco-alcocer.bsky.social's new publication in The Journal of Conflict Resolution shows that wars between cartels in Mexico increase killings of law enforcement officers and make attacks more brazen. Check it out below!
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
What a way to kick off the @ucmerced.bsky.social academic year! Political Science and CAPE hosted the inaugural Fall Kick-Off for faculty and students last week, featuring a celebration of Professor Christopher Ojeda's new book The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why It Matters.
September 4, 2025 at 9:35 PM
What a way to kick off the @ucmerced.bsky.social academic year! Political Science and CAPE hosted the inaugural Fall Kick-Off for faculty and students last week, featuring a celebration of Professor Christopher Ojeda's new book The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why It Matters.
Hey @ucmerced.bsky.social students! Join us for the first Politics & Pastries of the academic year this Thursday 9/4 10:30-11:30AM in the CAPE Office. This session's faculty are Profs @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and Christopher Ojeda, so come say hello and chat while enjoying coffee and pastries!
September 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Hey @ucmerced.bsky.social students! Join us for the first Politics & Pastries of the academic year this Thursday 9/4 10:30-11:30AM in the CAPE Office. This session's faculty are Profs @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and Christopher Ojeda, so come say hello and chat while enjoying coffee and pastries!
In this public facing piece in the Mexican magazine Nexos, @ucmerced.bsky.social Prof. @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and coauthor @angietorres.bsky.social discuss their recent publication analyzing whether women mayors in Mexico reduce violence against women. seguridad.nexos.com.mx/las-mujeres-...
¿Las mujeres políticas reducen la violencia contra las mujeres?
Los autores estudiaron si las alcaldesas en México reducen la violencia contra las mujeres. Los resultados muestran que las alcaldesas sí tienden a reducir ciertos tipos de violencia contra las mujere...
seguridad.nexos.com.mx
August 8, 2025 at 6:36 PM
In this public facing piece in the Mexican magazine Nexos, @ucmerced.bsky.social Prof. @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and coauthor @angietorres.bsky.social discuss their recent publication analyzing whether women mayors in Mexico reduce violence against women. seguridad.nexos.com.mx/las-mujeres-...
@ucmerced.bsky.social Prof Christopher Ojeda spoke on @kvprnews.bsky.social's Central Valley Daily podcast about his new book "The Sad Citizen: How Politics Is Depressing And Why It Matters", addressing the depressing divisiveness in modern politics. Listen here: www.kvpr.org/podcast/cent...
July 21: Depressed By Politics? You’re Not Alone.
Politics have grown increasingly divisive in recent years, and that is making people more depressed. So, how can we manage in this modern society as informed citizens? On today’s show, UC Merced polit...
www.kvpr.org
July 23, 2025 at 8:58 PM
@ucmerced.bsky.social Prof Christopher Ojeda spoke on @kvprnews.bsky.social's Central Valley Daily podcast about his new book "The Sad Citizen: How Politics Is Depressing And Why It Matters", addressing the depressing divisiveness in modern politics. Listen here: www.kvpr.org/podcast/cent...
🚨New publication!🚨
What is the electoral cost of infringing on civil liberties? @ucmerced.bsky.social Poli Sci professor @armenon.bsky.social & co-author @charasz.bsky.social tackle this question in a forthcoming registered report in The Journal of Politics @thejop.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1086/737687
What is the electoral cost of infringing on civil liberties? @ucmerced.bsky.social Poli Sci professor @armenon.bsky.social & co-author @charasz.bsky.social tackle this question in a forthcoming registered report in The Journal of Politics @thejop.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1086/737687
July 22, 2025 at 11:04 PM
🚨New publication!🚨
What is the electoral cost of infringing on civil liberties? @ucmerced.bsky.social Poli Sci professor @armenon.bsky.social & co-author @charasz.bsky.social tackle this question in a forthcoming registered report in The Journal of Politics @thejop.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1086/737687
What is the electoral cost of infringing on civil liberties? @ucmerced.bsky.social Poli Sci professor @armenon.bsky.social & co-author @charasz.bsky.social tackle this question in a forthcoming registered report in The Journal of Politics @thejop.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1086/737687
🎉 @armenon.bsky.social received the 2025 Award for Distinguished Early Career Research! This award recognizes an untenured @ucmerced.bsky.social Senate faculty member for research and/or other creative activities that have had a major impact on the field.
polisci.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/dr...
polisci.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/dr...
Dr. Anil Menon Receives the 2025 Distinguished Early Career Research Award | Political Science
polisci.ucmerced.edu
July 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
🎉 @armenon.bsky.social received the 2025 Award for Distinguished Early Career Research! This award recognizes an untenured @ucmerced.bsky.social Senate faculty member for research and/or other creative activities that have had a major impact on the field.
polisci.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/dr...
polisci.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/dr...
Female mayors in Mexico reduce some of the most serious forms of violence against women.
Check out the new publication in @PSRMJournal by @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and coauthors Rachel Skillman and Angie Torres-Beltran.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Check out the new publication in @PSRMJournal by @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and coauthors Rachel Skillman and Angie Torres-Beltran.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Female mayors and violence against women: evidence from Mexico | Political Science Research and Methods | Cambridge Core
Female mayors and violence against women: evidence from Mexico
www.cambridge.org
July 9, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Female mayors in Mexico reduce some of the most serious forms of violence against women.
Check out the new publication in @PSRMJournal by @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and coauthors Rachel Skillman and Angie Torres-Beltran.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Check out the new publication in @PSRMJournal by @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci Professor @marco-alcocer.bsky.social and coauthors Rachel Skillman and Angie Torres-Beltran.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Disappointment. Grief. Loss. A set of emotions far less incendiary but just as damaging to democracy.
Read more about @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci professor Christopher Ojeda's new book “The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why It Matters” here ⤵️
ucm.edu/z0oiu3
Read more about @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci professor Christopher Ojeda's new book “The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why It Matters” here ⤵️
ucm.edu/z0oiu3
July 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Disappointment. Grief. Loss. A set of emotions far less incendiary but just as damaging to democracy.
Read more about @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci professor Christopher Ojeda's new book “The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why It Matters” here ⤵️
ucm.edu/z0oiu3
Read more about @ucmerced.bsky.social PoliSci professor Christopher Ojeda's new book “The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why It Matters” here ⤵️
ucm.edu/z0oiu3
@ucmerced.bsky.social Ph.D. candidates Eliana Fonsah and our own Nihan Karagul are recipients of the competitive dissertation fellowship from the @ucigcc.bsky.social.
Congratulations to both! 👏
Read more: ucm.edu/3ocptd
Congratulations to both! 👏
Read more: ucm.edu/3ocptd
July 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
@ucmerced.bsky.social Ph.D. candidates Eliana Fonsah and our own Nihan Karagul are recipients of the competitive dissertation fellowship from the @ucigcc.bsky.social.
Congratulations to both! 👏
Read more: ucm.edu/3ocptd
Congratulations to both! 👏
Read more: ucm.edu/3ocptd
@ucmerced.bsky.social Professor Ojeda traveled to @mainzuniversity.bsky.social in Germany this month to talk about his new book "The Sad Citizen: How Politics Is Depressing and Why It Matters" Check it out here: sadcitizen.com
The Sad Citizen Book | Pre-order Now
For many citizens, politics is depressing. The Sad Citizen offers fresh ideas to strengthen democracy and help citizens cope with the stress of politics.
sadcitizen.com
June 17, 2025 at 10:17 PM
@ucmerced.bsky.social Professor Ojeda traveled to @mainzuniversity.bsky.social in Germany this month to talk about his new book "The Sad Citizen: How Politics Is Depressing and Why It Matters" Check it out here: sadcitizen.com