full-time faculty teaching and conducting research in political science
of Maxwell faculty conduct research focused outside of the U.S.
graduate students in residence; fewer than 12 admitted each year
Undergraduate Studies
Graduate Studies
I am Maxwell.
My time as a student at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School prepared me for my career in the music business in ways I never could have imagined. My passion for utilizing political and legal systems and structures to advocate for and protect people’s rights guides many of the most important decisions I make.”
Jacqueline Saturn ’90 B.A. (PSc)
President of Virgin Music Group North America, 2026 Maxwell | A&S Undergraduate Convocation Speaker
Recent Faculty Books
Maxwell's Political Science Department faculty members publish award-winning books on a wide range of topics. Scroll a sample of recently published works below, or visit the Maxwell Faculty Bookshelf for more.
Gadarian Talks to USA Today About the Alabama IVF Ruling and Its Impact on Voters
March 8, 2024
USA Today
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during IVF are “extrauterine children” and have legal protections, causing some clinics in the state to pause IVF services out of fear they could face legal trouble for mishandling embryos.
The ruling has intensified the fight over abortion, raising questions such as whether donors are legally protected from destroying their embryo or what rights exactly an embryo has.
“I think IVF is an issue that hasn't been politicized before and could be one that could get people thinking about the ways that reproductive health is connected to politics and engage them,” says Shana Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research. “It may push people to the polls.”
Read more in the USA Today article, “Will Alabama IVF ruling motivate voters in state for 2024 election?”
Gadarian was also quoted in the USA Today article, “Will Alabama IVF ruling sway voters from Trump to Biden?”
“The concept of what this means, that embryos have rights, is very different from someone thinking 'now I can’t pursue parenthood.' It's about the ability to become a parents on your schedule and at your choosing," says Gadarian. "Now that we see this is a policy that’s affecting real people, it’s going to become even more unpopular.”
Related News
Media Coverage
May 22, 2026
School News
May 22, 2026
Research
May 21, 2026
BaoBao Zhang Joins First Cohort of AI2050 Early Career Fellows
One of only 15 scholars chosen from across the U.S., Zhang will receive up to $200,000 in research funding over the next two years. Zhang will use the funding to partner with the nonprofit, non-partisan Center for New Democratic Processes to test whether public participation in AI governance is increased through the creation of public assemblies, known as “deliberative democracy workshops.”
Baobao Zhang
Assistant Professor, Political Science Department
Gadarian Talks to USA Today About the Alabama IVF Ruling and Its Impact on Voters
March 8, 2024
USA Today
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during IVF are “extrauterine children” and have legal protections, causing some clinics in the state to pause IVF services out of fear they could face legal trouble for mishandling embryos.
The ruling has intensified the fight over abortion, raising questions such as whether donors are legally protected from destroying their embryo or what rights exactly an embryo has.
“I think IVF is an issue that hasn't been politicized before and could be one that could get people thinking about the ways that reproductive health is connected to politics and engage them,” says Shana Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research. “It may push people to the polls.”
Read more in the USA Today article, “Will Alabama IVF ruling motivate voters in state for 2024 election?”
Gadarian was also quoted in the USA Today article, “Will Alabama IVF ruling sway voters from Trump to Biden?”
“The concept of what this means, that embryos have rights, is very different from someone thinking 'now I can’t pursue parenthood.' It's about the ability to become a parents on your schedule and at your choosing," says Gadarian. "Now that we see this is a policy that’s affecting real people, it’s going to become even more unpopular.”
Related News
Media Coverage
May 22, 2026
School News
May 22, 2026
Research
May 21, 2026