I am Assistant Professor of Political Science (Theory) at Stockton University in New Jersey. I previously received my Ph.D in Political Science from Northwestern University and my BA from the Ohio State University, summa cum laude in Political Science and Comparative Cultural Studies, with distinction in Political Science.
My research draws from the history of political thought, particularly in the American tradition, to investigate the consequences of digital technologies for democratic politics.
Much of our contemporary political activity occurs online; despite their emphasis on entertainment, digital and social media are increasingly the spaces in which individuals create, share, and discuss content related to issues of public concern--the foundation of a healthy democracy. The ways in which these sites organize users therefore have far-reaching consequences for how well we are able to engage in democratic practices--or whether we are able to at all.
Using resources from political theory, traditional architecture, and computer science, I study the effects of UX design, site governance structures, and software development processes on the potential for democratic engagements both with and through digital media. As a result, my work provides insights into the ways in which we can design, build, and maintain more democratic spaces using digital technologies.
In addition to my substantive theoretical interests, I am also actively engaged in scholarship of teaching and learning, particularly around questions of civic learning and engagement both in and outside of the classroom.