Political Science and International Relations Research
At Adelphi University, you could examine how power, policy and governance shape our world at local, national and global levels.
From your first year, you can explore research in areas such as global institutions, comparative politics, political theory, public policy and American politics. Students develop strong analytical and research skills while engaging with real-world political and policy challenges.
To receive credit for research:
- Meet with faculty early to discuss research interests
- Identify a focus area aligned with political science or international relations
- Develop a research question with faculty mentorship
- Register for independent study or research credits with approval
Students present their work at the Adelphi Scholarship and Creative Works Conference and may also share their research at regional and national conferences.
Through the SPARK Center (Scholars Pursuing Arts, Research and Knowledge), students can receive funding, mentorship, and support for independent research and conference presentations.
Faculty Research and Areas of Focus
Katie Laatikainen, PhD studies multilateralism, international law and international organizations with a focus on the intersection of United Nations and European Union diplomacy. Her research examines how states engage in multilateral diplomacy through formal groupings such as the EU and informal coalitions such as the Nordic states. She also develops online teaching modules with EUNNET exploring the role of the EU Delegation at the United Nations.
Dong Wook Lee, PhD studies interregional attributes and their political implications at both cross‑national and subnational levels. Previously, his quantitative research included analyses of how interregional inequality shapes government spending dynamics in OECD countries, as well as a region-specific study of the intergovernmental relations characterized by political decentralization in South Korea. His current work examines the relationship between economic inequality and individuals’ perceptions of distributive fairness. In addition to this substantive line of research, his broader research pipeline continues to evolve alongside inquiries about analytical challenges in spatial measurement, with a particular focus on improving empirical validity and reliability in political science research.
Traci Levy, PhD is a normative political philosopher—a care theorist—who cares deeply about justice and teaching. Her research interests center around: caregiving, gender, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), paid family leave in U.S. states, and educational games.
Binda Godlove Aka, PhD is an interdisciplinary public policy scholar whose expertise includes health policy, public policy analysis, global health policy, American political institutions, and African politics. His current research projects address the COVID-19 response in Cameroon and the impact of COVID-19 on access to basic needs for United States households. His recent publication addresses the determinants of political polarization and consensus in the United States Congress.
Margaret Gray, PhD studies low-wage, non-citizen workers in the agro-food industry and their political, social and economic opportunities. Primarily focused on the power structures facing marginalized workers, her research interests lie at the intersection of labor, immigration, food studies and nonprofit advocacy.