University of Denver-Political Science Department

Great energy at today’s Journey to DU event!

Our Political Science Department had a strong showing, with Professors Lisa Conant, Elizabeth Sperber, Alena Wolflink, and Jing Sun joined by our outstanding student major Francis Crowe. Together they spent the afternoon talking with admitted students and their families, answering questions about the major, research opportunities, internships, and life at DU.

It was wonderful meeting so many curious and thoughtful future students. We’re excited to see where your journeys take you—and we hope many of them lead to Political Science at DU!

Three of DU Political Science Department's outstanding colleagues—Dr. Seth Masket, Dr. Sara Chatfield, and Dr. Phil Chen—have officially taken over the editorial leadership of The Forum, one of the leading journals in American politics. Seth and Sara will serve as Editors-in-Chief, and Phil will serve as Book Editor. This is a major recognition of their scholarship and leadership in the field, and it’s exciting to see our department playing such an important role in shaping conversations in American politics.

Congratulations to Seth, Sara, and Phil on this wonderful achievement! We’re very proud of you.

You can learn more about the journal here: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/journal/key/for/html

Associate Professor of Political Science, Elizabeth Sperber, was invited to present her award winning research on youth in African politics at a state-funded conference in Busan, South Korea this month. Nice work!

Congratulations to PLSC Major, Bella Gallegos, for winning a competitive academic scholarship from the Panera Bread Educational Fund! You are an incredible young leader and scholar, Bella!

So proud of Ingrid Dayanara Romero, a second-year Political Science major from Aurora, whose passion for government and sustainability is already translating into real leadership. From Model UN at the Community College of Aurora to reviving the Rotaract Club on campus, Ingrid embodies what studying politics is really about — curiosity, service, and engagement.

Ingrid Romero in action – The Denver Clarion By: Theodora Boateng | February 9, 2026 Ingrid Dayanara Romero, a second-year political science major from Aurora, Colo., knew she had chosen the right major because of the passion she felt when taking dual enrollment classes at the Community College of Aurora (CCA). At CCA, Romero took every single...

Proud to see Political Science well represented in DU’s January 2026 Media Overview.

This month’s report features two of our professors:

• Professor Joshua Wilson, who discussed early conservative reactions to U.S. involvement in Venezuela and what those responses suggest about President Trump’s influence over his supporters.
• Professor Seth Masket, who offered insight into President Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” and its resonance with authoritarian regimes that have signed on.

Political Science Department faculty continue to contribute to national conversations and public understanding.

Today's is Cecilia Cooley, a senior majoring in and captain of the University of Denver Gymnastics team. Originally from Manhattan, Cooley was drawn to for its strong academics, supportive coaching staff, and Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle. Now in her final year, she has found ways to excel both in the classroom and in the gym.

After graduation, Cooley hopes to work in public policy and plans to pursue a master’s degree in global policy or foreign affairs: “I want to exude confidence, consistency and hard work in my career,” Cooley said. “Those qualities are what have defined my success in both athletics and academics at the University of Denver.”

Read more about Cecilia's student journey from : https://loom.ly/NmaliGg

Students in Prof. Sara Chatfield’s Constitutional Law class participated in mock oral arguments this week. This team of students was arguing against a hypothetical federal law banning large “Big Gulp” size sodas—and they brought props!

Professor Sara Chatfield at the State of the Parties: 2024 and Beyond Conference with DU alum Reynold Nesiba. Prof. Chatfield presented research on partisanship’s influence on state-level menstrual product policies, and Nesiba presented research on supermajority legislatures and citizen-led initiatives.

Professors Seth Masket, Hannah Paul, Phil Chen, and Jesse Acevedo representing DU at the University of Nebraska’s 2025 Hendricks Symposium: “Bordering on Crisis? The State of Democracy in the United States and México.” Go team!

Professor Seth Masket on Colorado Public Radio on the morning of October 22, discussing unprecedented moves in government with scrutiny and historical context.

'If you can keep it.' A new series about unprecedented politics and policy | Colorado Public Radio Benjamin Franklin said, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” He was asked – after the constitutional convention – if we were to become a republic or a monarchy? We borrowed from Franklin to name a new series, “If you can keep it.” With the help of University of Denver political scientist Se...

DU's Media Impact Report 2025 lists the top six media-generating faculty on campus. Dr. Phil Chen and Seth Masket from the Department of Political Science are both on that list. Nice work and congrats to Phil and Seth!