Political Scientists Available to Discuss Same-Sex Marriage and U.S. Supreme Court Cases

Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the American Political Science Association:

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Political scientists are available to speak with reporters about same- sex marriage and the U.S. Supreme Court cases Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor.

Thirteen political scientists authored an amicus brief for each case.  More information at www.politicalsciencenow.com/policy.   

Additional experts are:

Melissa R. Michelson ([email protected]) is Professor of Political Science at Menlo College. Among her research interests is attitudinal change on polarized political issues such as same-sex marriage.  She is currently working on two book projects, one of which is Listen, We Need to Talk: Opening Minds to Attitudinal Change through In-Group Identity Activation, which uses a variety of randomized field experiments to advance our understanding of public policy persuasion, with a specific focus on same-sex marriage policy (with Brian Harrison). The other is Living the Dream: Mexican Born, American Raised, Deportation Deferred (Paradigm Publishers, 2014) (with Drs. Maria Chávez Pringle and Jessica Lavariega Monforti), which examines the political history and impact of President Barack Obama's deferred deportation plan for undocumented youth.  Dr. Michelson has published 30 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and a dozen chapters in edited volumes, and is co-author of Mobilizing Inclusion: Redefining Citizenship through Get-out-the-vote Campaigns (Yale University Press, 2012)(with Dr. Lisa García Bedolla). Dr. Michelson received her B.A. in political science from Columbia University in 1990 and her Ph.D. from Yale University in 1994.

Brian F. Harrison ([email protected]) will complete his Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University in June 2013. His research addresses public opinion, political behavior, political communication, polarization, and LGBT politics.  He is a co-author of a book project entitled "Listen, We Need to Talk: Opening Minds to Attitudinal Change through In-Group Identity Activation," which focuses on persuasion efforts and tactics surrounding the marriage equality debate in the United States. It is under review at Yale University Press with coauthor Dr. Melissa R. Michelson, Menlo College. His dissertation looks at how media choice and polarization among elected officials color the way individuals respond to the political world, focusing on Presidential communication. Brian previously earned an A.B. from Georgetown University in Government and English Literature and Literary History, an M.A. in Communication from DePaul University, and an M.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University.

Robert Postic ([email protected]) is Assistant Professor of Political Science and Chairperson of the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Justice Sciences at the University of Findlay.  Dr. Postic has presented research at numerous conferences and His recent research has focused on the issue of gay marriage as well as the perception of the word "gay" as a slur in today's society. Dr. Postic has an extensive teaching background, having taught for more than 15 years at the secondary and post-secondary levels. He holds a B.A. from Calvin College, an M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.

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About the American Political Science Association
Founded in 1903, the American Political Science Association is the leading professional organization for the study of political science and serves more than 15,000 members in over 80 countries. With a range of programs and services for individuals, departments and institutions, APSA brings together political scientists from all fields of inquiry, regions, and occupational endeavors within and outside academe in order to expand awareness and understanding of politics.

SOURCE American Political Science Association