Meet Dr. Elizabeth I. Dorssom

APSA Member since April 2020

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Lincoln University of Missouri

How did you learn about APSA? When did you become a member of APSA, and what prompted you to join? 

I had just passed my PhD comprehensive exams and planned to use the APSA Annual Meeting as a networking opportunity when I joined APSA in 2020. The conference occurred virtually in 2020 but I was still able to network with faculty members and other graduate students.

My involvement with APSA led to new experiences, opportunities, and collaborative projects. Shortly after joining APSA in 2020, I participated in the 2020 APSA Virtual Public Policy and Administration Dissertation Workshop co-chaired by Daniel Mallinson (Penn State Harrisburg) and Darrell Lovell (West Texas A&M University). I published a paper with another individual who also participated in the 2020 APSA Virtual Public Policy and Administration Dissertation Workshop. Through APSA, I have served as a Discussant, Graduate Student Mentor, roundtable presenter and Undergraduate Student Mentor, in addition to presenting my work at APSA panels.

How have APSA membership and services been valuable to you at different stages of your career? 

APSA was first valuable to me through the APSA Virtual Public Policy and Administration Dissertation Workshop, which helped immensely with my dissertation. Since 2020, I have been the recipient of various APSA grants to offset conference presentation costs, including the First Generation Scholars in the Profession Annual Meeting Accessibility Grant, Member Relief Grant, Accessibility Grant to present at APSA Virtual Conference, as well as the Michael Brintnall Teaching and Learning Award.

Can you tell us about your professional background and your research? 

I am currently an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Lincoln University of Missouri where I regularly teach courses on American National Government, American State and Local Government, Public Policy and Administration, and Research Methodology. I am also the advisor for the Alpha Zeta Omicron chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at Lincoln University of Missouri.

I earned a B.A. in Women’s Studies from Chatham University and a Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Management and Leadership from California State University-Northridge. I earned a Political Science Ph.D in American Politics and Public Policy and Administration from the Harry S Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri. I am a former Oskar Morgenstern Fellow through the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and a former Dan Searle Fellow through the Institute for Humane

Studies at George Mason University . My primary research agenda investigates the impact of resources on politics and policy. More specifically, I examine how resources such as information, institutionalization, and professionalism impact policy adoption and feedback. My research specifically explores the impact of such resources at both the federal and state levels through the examination of legislative position-taking as well as various legislative output. Understanding these aspects of the legislative process will help us become better informed about which of these legislative processes work and, therefore, promote quality government. My research on the impact of legislative resources on policy adoption is published in Social Science Quarterly, 3 Streams Blog, and featured on The Academic Minute.

I recently published a textbook on Missouri Politics, titled, “Missouri Politics: Government in the Show-Me State.”

My secondary research agenda involves pedagogy and active learning techniques. I have published on using anonymous technology to encourage undergraduate course participation and have forthcoming publications on active learning activities I’ve used in the classroom. My research on using technology to increase undergraduate course participation is published in Political Science Educator, and in numerous pedagogy books.

Which programs or events would you recommend to people who are not members of the association, and why?

I highly recommend the APSA Mentoring Program! It is a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to receive advice from professionals working in the field. It is also great for building connections. I’ve been a mentor through the APSA Mentoring Program for 2 years, and I still keep in touch with many of my mentees!

Political Science Educator,  the newsletter for the Political Science Education Section, is a great resource for learning about new active learning techniques for the classroom!

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or the work that you do?

I am very active in my local community! I participate annually in the St. Jude Walk/Run to unite in the fight against childhood cancer. I also enjoy going to concerts and watching Broadway musicals.

The APSA Member Spotlight program features one member each quarter in the APSA Member Magazine, Political Science Today. Nominations for the award (including self-nominations) may be submitted by members and nonmembers of APSA. Learn more here.