Hi. Thank you for checking out consider the politics
My name is Mark Joslyn.
Over thirty years ago, when I asked a beautiful woman for her hand in marriage, she said yes! That’s how it started for me. What a life changing moment. What a great decision. What a lucky guy.
Since then, we raised two bright and ambition boys and shared many memorable adventures. Never a dull moment. And, we are a rock-solid unit; a tight-knit group, the boys, my wife and me.
Professionally, in 1996 I received my PhD from Washington University in St. Louis and began teaching at Kansas University a year later. I regularly teach introductory and advanced graduate classes in American Politics and Political Behavior.
My expertise lies in political attitudes and behavior. Attitude formation and behavioral change are the key areas of interest. In particular, I examine social and political conditions that encourage certain attitudes and specific behaviors. I draw from cognitive and motivational theories, recognizing the value of both to understanding the political mind.
My research appears in top political science journals including American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Political Psychology and Public Opinion Quarterly. For the curious reader, you can find me on google scholar or examine a recent CV.
I enjoy teaching students and writing academic papers.
However, I also find communicating with larger audiences rewarding. In fact, I started consider the politics to do just that: To reach a broad audience that appreciates a data driven perspective of politics.
Most people do not have the time to decipher the technical jargon and complex methodologies that characterize academic journals. I do; it’s my job.
I am therefore in an excellent position to translate theories and present data in an accessible form and deliver it directly to you.
On occasion, I may stray; editorialize a bit, in the absence of sound data. In those instances, the blog post will appear under a separate heading “commentary”.
However, as a rule, posts will utilize data to provide added benefit, to answer a compelling question or offer insight into current events.
I encourage feedback and welcome suggestions for future posts.
consider the politics 