Dr. J. Cherie Strachan
Title: Director, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics; Professor of Political Science
Dept/Program: Political Science
Office: 325 Olin Hall
Phone: 330-972-5182
Email: jcw39@uakron.edu
Curriculum Vitae: Download in PDF format
Biography
J. Cherie Strachan, who received her PhD in 2000 from the State University of New York at Albany, is Professor of Political Science at the University of Akron. She is also Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, which is dedicated to preparing students for professional political careers in addition to promoting public-spirited civic and political participation among the broader electorate. Her political science research combines interests in political participation, voluntary civic and political organizations, and political communication. Recent work explores the #MeToo movement and women’s political ambition, as well as the effects of partisan polarization, rudeness, and civility on political engagement. Her applied research on campus civic engagement pedagogy focuses on facilitating student-led deliberative discussions sessions, on enhancing the political socialization that occurs within campus student organizations, and on increasing scholarly rigor through multi-campus collaboration and data collection.
In addition to authoring and co-editing several books, Strachan has published more than 40 articles and book chapters. She currently serves on advisory boards for national organizations focused on improving the health of American democracy, including the National Issue Forum Institute (NIFI) and Unify Akron, a local affiliate of Unify America. Her public service extends to the American Political Science Association (APSA), where she serves as a member of the Executive Committee, as Chair of the Teaching and Learning Program Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Political Science Education Section. She recently received this section’s Distinguished Service Award for her role in helping to launch APSA’s Political Science Pedagogy Certification initiative, designed to provide professional development and credentialing opportunities for teacher-scholars in the discipline.
Education
Ph.D., SUNY Albany (2000); MA, The University of Akron (1994); BA, Murray State University (1992)
Courses
POLIT 423/523 Women, Gender, and Politics
POLIT 455/555 Civic Engagement and Political Behavior
POLIT 456/556 Deliberation and Disagreement