For media: CSU experts available to discuss constellation of topics related to democracy

In addition to being the focus of Colorado State University’s thematic year, democracy is a key component of the work that happens across all facets of the institution. 

From political science to natural resources to engineering, the understanding and furthering of democratic principles is a key part of CSU’s research. Below is a list of experts who can speak to multiple topics related to democracy. 

To arrange interviews with any of these faculty members, contact a member of the media relations team at [email protected]. 

Martin Carcasson, professor, Department of Communication Studies 

Carcasson is the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, an impartial resource dedicated to enhancing local democracy in Northern Colorado. His research focuses on helping local communities address “wicked problems” more productively through improved public communication, community problem solving and collaborative decision-making. 

Neil Grigg, professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 

Grigg’s research focuses on global water resources and infrastructure issues, with an emphasis on planning and management in current political and financial climates.

Peter Harris, associate professor, Department of Political Science 

Harris teaches classes related to international security, U.S. foreign policy and international relations. His research focuses on U.S. foreign relations in the Indo-Pacific region – and, particularly, diplomacy between the U.S. and China. 

Elizabeth Kiehne, assistant professor, School of Social Work

Prior to getting her doctorate, Kiehne worked for more than a decade with programs addressing chronically limited opportunity structures for low-income youth. Her research focuses on several issues including immigrant integration and rights; immigrant family well-being; and social policymaking, such as her work with immigrant groups to pass a law limiting family separation from immigrant detention.

Katie Knoblock, associate professor, Department of Communication Studies 

Knobloch is the associate director of the Center for Public Deliberation. Her teaching and research focus on public participation and deliberative democracy, particularly the design and impact of community engagement programs. Some of her recent projects include the Rural Action Project, which aims to build civic capacity for rural communities across Colorado, and a program created in partnership with local high schools that provides hands-on engagement opportunities for students. 

Jen Johnson, director, Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement 

Johnson interacts with hundreds of CSU students each year and supports more than 40 political/representative-registered student organizations. Along the way, she’s been an integral part of the University’s recognition as a “Gold” campus in the All in Campus Democracy Challenge, with a National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement study having found that 76% of CSU students voted in the 2020 election (compared to the national average of 69%). 

Dave McIvor, associate professor, Department of Political Science 

McIvor’s primary research interests are in contemporary political and democratic theories. He can speak to topics related to public participation, civil society, public deliberation and political psychology. 

Sudeep Pasricha, professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Democracy cannot survive without ethics. Could AI threaten our ethics and integrity? Pasricha explores the risks and opportunities of AI through an ethics lens. His work also investigates the impact of AI and computing on equity and environmental sustainability. 

Courtney Schultz, professor, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship 

Schultz directs the Public Lands Policy Group, which produces original research to inform the practice of natural resource management and advance understanding of policy developments that affect public lands. Her most recent work has focused on policy innovations to support collaborative landscape restoration, effective fire management and climate change adaptation on U.S. forestlands. 

Dominik Stecula, assistant professor, Department of Political Science 

Stecula studies the news media environment and its effects on society by examining both the supply side (content of the news and its effects on political polarization and attitudes about topics like climate change or vaccines) and demand side of news consumption (like the structure of people’s media diets and analysis of what sources people deem credible and why).

Jessica Thrasher, diversity and inclusion engagement program manager, Colorado Water Center 

Thrasher’s role involves promoting the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives in water management and policy. She recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors) and spoke to Colorado senators and members of Congress to advocate for water equity. 

Daniel Weitzel, assistant professor, Department of Political Science 

Weitzel’s research focuses on democratization and democratic backsliding. He studies under which circumstances countries become more or less democratic. This includes strategic behavior of political parties and voters in elections around the world (such as negative campaigning, attack ads, populism and ideological positions).