Research with Students

I am particularly passionate about developing research skills among undergraduate students, integrating them into my own research projects as well as mentoring students through their own original products. To date, I have been the undergraduate thesis advisor for over a dozen undergraduate theses, and mentor on over thirty internally or externally funded undergraduate projects. I have co-authored with over 50 students and former students, resulting in over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and 100 policy or news publications. Below are all the collaborations:


Brian Anderson


Garrett Ashley


Bridget Beavin




Olivia Blackmon

“Gauging the Mexican view of US-China rivalry” East Asia Forum. October 1, 2021.

“Is America Ready to Raise the Minimum Wage?” Fair Observer. August 5, 2021.


Carolyn Brueggemann

South Korean Views on Cross-Strait Tensions” Global Taiwan Brief. January 10, 2024.  

“Do Americans Support Recognizing Taiwan?” The News Lens. April 11, 2023.

"A New Survey Shines Light on the Fight to Save Mexico's Native Languages" Mexico News Daily. July 31, 2021.

"Violence against women is on the rise in Mexico. How do Mexicans perceive it?" Global Voices. July 30, 2021.

“Survey: US Public Supports Action on China’s Human Rights Abuses” The Diplomat. April 23, 2021.

“How Do South Koreans View North Korea’s Human Rights Violations?” The News Lens. October 21, 2020.

“Shifting perceptions of same-sex marriage in Taiwan: who changed their mind after legalization?” Asian Education and Development Studies. October 12, 2020.

“What Influences South Korean Perceptions on Immigration?” The Diplomat. October 5, 2020.

“Opinion – Would You Hire A North Korean? South Korean Public Opinion is Mixed” E-International Relations. June 9, 2020.

“Surveying the American Public on the Plight of Climate Refugees” E-International Relations. June 17, 2020.

“Americans Appear to Support Renewable Energy, But to what Extent?” International Policy Digest. June 1, 2020.

“The Public's View on Same-Sex Marriage Legalisation” Taiwan Insight. February 5, 2020.

“What Does Taiwan’s Public Think About Election Interference From China?” The Diplomat. January 10, 2020.

“Taiwan's Elections May Determine the Fate of Fleeing Hong Kong Protesters” News Lens International Edition. January 8, 2020.



Daniel Candee


Anakin Cary




Parker Cohen



Andi Dahmer

WKU Honors
College Thesis of the Year 2019

2018 Truman Scholar

“Cost Tolerance and South Korean Public Perceptions of the US Military Presence.” Asian Journal of Political Science. 2023.

“COVID-19 Policies Carry Implications for South Korea’s Presidential Election” Fair Observer. March 18, 2022.

“COVID-19 pandemic is having a negative economic impact on Latin American women” Miami Herald. August 9, 2021.

“Muchas Mujeres Latinoamericanas Perdieron Sus Trabajos Durante La Pandemia” El Nuevo Herald. August 4, 2021.

"Survey: US Perceptions of China in the Early Biden Era" News Lens. August 2, 2021.

“The Gendered Effects of COVID-19 in Mexico” Modern Diplomacy. July 20, 2021.

“South Korean perceptions of North Korean immigration: evidence from an experimental survey” Political Science. December 21, 2020.

“Historical Views of Homosexuality: Asia” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics.

“Taiwan Opinion Polling on Unification with China” China Brief. October 19, 2020.

“Shifting perceptions of same-sex marriage in Taiwan: who changed their mind after legalization?” Asian Education and Development Studies. October 12, 2020.

“What Do South Koreans Think of Their Government’s COVID-19 Response?” The Diplomat. October 7, 2020.

“Taiwanese Public Perceptions of Diplomatic Recognition: An Experimental Analysis” International Journal of Taiwan Studies. August 20, 2020.

“Yes, Americans Do Want More Domestically-Produced PPE” The National Interest. August 15, 2020.

“Trends in American Perceptions of US-Taiwan Relations” Global Taiwan Institute. July 29, 2020.

“South Koreans Might Be Willing to Pay More for the U.S. Military’s Protection—But Only Under These Conditions” The National Interest. July 23, 2020.

“The Lingering Effects of Losing and Nonvoting on Institutional Trust: An Analysis of South Korea” Journal of Asian and African Studies. June 7, 2020.

“Unpacking the Roles of Religion and Partisanship on Support for Same-Sex Marriage: Evidence from South Korea” Journal of Asian and African Studies. June 5, 2020.

“The public judgment of South Korea’s Covid-19 response” The Interpreter. March 27, 2020.

“South Korea: The Politics of COVID-19” The Diplomat. March 26, 2020.

“The Public's View on Same-Sex Marriage Legalisation” Taiwan Insight. February 5, 2020.

“Taiwanese Perceptions of Diplomatic Recognition” Taiwan Insight. February 3, 2020.

“Taiwan’s Relations with India: Partisan Divides” The Diplomat. January 2, 2020.

“Explaining Support for Same-Sex Marriage: Evidence from Taiwan” International Journal of Taiwan Studies. September 9, 2019.

“Taiwan Public Opinion Polling Regarding Forced Unification with China” China Brief. September 6, 2019.

“What influences South Korean perceptions of (re)unification?” Asia Dialogue. April 29, 2019.

“What influences South Korean support for North Korean resettlement?” East Asia Forum. April 19, 2019.

“South Korea: has a female leader’s fall cost women candidates?” The Interpreter. April 5, 2019.

“Understanding perceptions of harassment in South Korea” The Asia Dialogue. April 4, 2019.

“In pulling U.S. aid to the Northern Triangle, the Trump administration opens a window for Beijing” Global Americans. April 1, 2019.

“LGBT Issues in 2019” Taiwan Insight. February 11, 2019.

“In South Korea, Corruption Knows No Gender” The News Lens. December 10, 2018.

“What Happened to Taiwan’s Support for Same-Sex Marriage?” Taiwan Sentinel. December 3, 2018.

“解析臺灣於中美洲的外交成果 [Explaining Taiwan's Diplomatic Success in Central America]
全球政治評論 [Review of Global Politics]. 63: 121-136.

“It's Time for Taiwan's Allies to Consider Their Own Taiwan Relations Act” New Lens. July 6, 2018.

Taiwan, International Aid, and the Challenge of Official Recognition” Taiwan Sentinel. May 6, 2018.

【評論】蔡英文將出訪史瓦濟蘭,台灣能擺脫金援外交嗎?” Lado Post (Chinese). April 14, 2018.

“Does Taiwan need international recognition?” China Policy Institute.  March 12, 2018.

【評論】新年新挑戰,台灣應從非官方互動對抗中國打壓” Lado Post (Chinese). March 1, 2018.

Taiwan’s Diplomatic Recognition Challenge in 2018”  Taiwan Sentinel. January 31, 2018.

Taiwan’s Central America Dilemma” Taiwan Sentinel. September 21, 2017.

Trading with the Hermit Kingdom: Taiwan and North Korea in Times of Sanctions” Taiwan Sentinel. August 7, 2017.




Sean Denham

“Do Americans Support Recognizing Taiwan?” The News Lens. April 11, 2023.


Madelynn Einhorn

WKU Honors
College Scholar of the Year 2022

“Cost Tolerance and South Korean Public Perceptions of the US Military Presence.” Asian Journal of Political Science. 2023.

“All are Not Equal: Taiwanese Public Opinion on Southeast Asian Immigration.” International Journal of Taiwan Studies. 2023.

“Public Misconceptions about Legal Immigration Undermine Reform” Common Dreams. August 7, 2022.

“Why Do Americans Distrust Foreign Aid?” The National Interest. July 31, 2022.

“How Americans See Their Role in the World” The National Interest. July 25, 2022.

“Do Taiwanese View Gender Discrimination as Commonplace?” The News Lens. July 20, 2022.

“Taiwan Decriminalized Adultery, But Does the Public Support The Change?” Taiwan Insight. July 13, 2022.

“Despite Threats, New Survey Data Reveals Few in Taiwan Pay Much Attention to China” Jamestown Foundation China Brief. July 1, 2022.

“Why Electoral Runoffs Would Improve South Korea’s Democracy” East Asia Forum. April 30, 2022.

“Majority of South Koreans Prefer Status Quo with North Korea, Survey Shows” NK News. April 28, 2022.

COVID-19 Policies Carry Implications for South Korea’s Presidential Election” Fair Observer. March 18, 2022.

“Getting the Public Behind the Fight on Misinformation” Fair Observer. February 18, 2022.

“The Ties That Bond? Attitudinal Factors Influencing South Korean Support for Unification and Peaceful Coexistence” North Korea Review. Fall 2021.

“Religion, Contact, and LGBT Acceptance: Survey Evidence from South Korea” Korea Observer. Fall 2021.

“Gauging the Mexican view of US-China rivalry” East Asia Forum. October 1, 2021.

“Have Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers improved under President Biden?” Culturico. August 31.

“Gender Politics: Public Views of Women in Politics” Taiwan Insight, August 21, 2021.

“Taiwan: The age-old question of who gets a vote” The Interpreter. August 13, 2021.

“Does Framing of Refugee Question Change Public Opinion?” International Policy Digest. July 12, 2021.

“Analyzing Views of the Ease of Legal Immigration from Mexico into the US” e-International Relations. July 11, 2021.

“Mexico Runoff Elections” Modern Diplomacy. July 9, 2021.

“The Challenges of South and North Korea Hosting the 2032 Olympics” 38 North. April 23, 2021.

“Evaluating the Factors in President Tsai’s Public Approval Ratings in 2020” Global Taiwan Brief. February 24, 2021.

“Taiwanese Public Opinion on China and Cross-Strait Relations: The Challenges for 2021” China Brief. February 4, 2021.

“What is the Public Perception of Taiwan's COVID-19 Policies, Along with its Impact on Evaluations of President Tsai Ing-Wen?” Taiwan Insight. January 27, 2021.

“Poll: Most South Koreans Are Wary of China” The National Interest. January 7, 2021.

“How South Koreans view the prospect of a Trump re-election” The Interpreter. October 28, 2020.

“South Korea Split Over Perception of Workplace Harassment” The News Lens. October 7, 2020.

“What Do South Koreans Think of Their Government’s COVID-19 Response?” The Diplomat. October 7, 2020

“Are They Paying Attention? Survey Analysis of South Korean Attention to North Korea” North Korea Review. Fall 2020.

“Polling finds a divide in how Americans view police and protesters” Changing America. August 11, 2020.

“Trends in American Perceptions of US-Taiwan Relations” Global Taiwan Institute. July 29, 2020.

“South Koreans Might Be Willing to Pay More for the U.S. Military’s Protection—But Only Under These Conditions” The National Interest. July 23, 2020.

“Opinion – Would You Hire A North Korean? South Korean Public Opinion is Mixed” E-International Relations. June 9, 2020.

“How Often do South Koreans Think about North Korea?” International Policy Digest. June 6, 2020.

“The public judgment of South Korea’s Covid-19 response” The Interpreter. March 27, 2020.

“South Korea: The Politics of COVID-19” The Diplomat. March 26, 2020.

“What Is a Greater National Security Threat to the US: North Korea or Iran?” The Diplomat. March 13, 2020.

“Taiwan's Immigration Policy: Support, Concerns, and Challenges” Taiwan Insight. January 14, 2020.

“What Does Taiwan’s Public Think About Election Interference From China?” The Diplomat. January 10, 2020.

“Taiwan's Elections May Determine the Fate of Fleeing Hong Kong Protesters” News Lens International Edition. January 8, 2020.

“Taiwan’s Relations with India: Partisan Divides” The Diplomat. January 2, 2020.

“Which Is the Bigger Nuclear Threat, Iran or North Korea?” The Diplomat. September 2019.


Isabel Eliassen

WKU Honors
College Scholar of the Year 2021

“Cost Tolerance and South Korean Public Perceptions of the US Military Presence.” Asian Journal of Political Science. 2023.

“All are Not Equal: Taiwanese Public Opinion on Southeast Asian Immigration.” International Journal of Taiwan Studies. 2023.

“Religion, Contact, and LGBT Acceptance: Survey Evidence from South Korea” Korea Observer. Fall 2021.

“Gender Politics: Public Views of Women in Politics” Taiwan Insight, August 21, 2021.

“Taiwan: The age-old question of who gets a vote” The Interpreter. August 13, 2021.

“A New Survey Shines Light on the Fight to Save Mexico's Native Languages” Mexico News Daily. July 31, 2021.

“Americas As Refugees Flee Central America, the Mexican Public Sours On Accepting Them” Modern Diplomacy. July 26, 2021.

“The Challenges of South and North Korea Hosting the 2032 Olympics” 38 North. April 23, 2021.

“South Korean perceptions of North Korean immigration: evidence from an experimental survey” Political Science. December 21, 2020.

“Historical Views of Homosexuality: Asia” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics.

“How Does South Korea View Its Marginalized Groups?” The News Lens. October 26, 2020.

“What Do South Koreans Think of Their Government’s COVID-19 Response?” The Diplomat. October 7, 2020.

“A Political Analysis of Taiwanese Perceptions of Hong Kong Protests” Global Taiwan Institute. September 23, 2020.

“Has Taiwanese Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage Changed?” The Diplomat. September 11, 2020.

“Opinion – Would You Hire A North Korean? South Korean Public Opinion is Mixed” E-International Relations. June 9, 2020.

“Unpacking the Roles of Religion and Partisanship on Support for Same-Sex Marriage: Evidence from South Korea” Journal of Asian and African Studies. June 5, 2020.

“The public judgment of South Korea’s Covid-19 response” The Interpreter. March 27, 2020.

“South Korea: The Politics of COVID-19” The Diplomat. March 26, 2020.

“The Public's View on Same-Sex Marriage Legalisation” Taiwan Insight. February 5, 2020.

“English as a National Language in Taiwan: Public Sentiment” Ketagalan Media. January 22, 2020.

“What Does Taiwan’s Public Think About Election Interference From China?” The Diplomat. January 10, 2020.

“Taiwan's Elections May Determine the Fate of Fleeing Hong Kong Protesters” News Lens International Edition. January 8, 2020.

“Explaining Support for Same-Sex Marriage: Evidence from Taiwan” International Journal of Taiwan Studies. September 9, 2019.

“Taiwanese Views on Homosexuality Based on Proximity of Relationship, Study Shows” Taiwan Sentinel. June 3, 2019.

“Understanding perceptions of harassment in South Korea” The Asia Dialogue. April 4, 2019.

“What’s Behind South Korea’s Persistent LGBT Intolerance?” The Diplomat. March 19, 2019.

“LGBT Issues in 2019” Taiwan Insight. February 11, 2019.

“English as a National Language” Taiwan Insight. January 9, 2019.

“What Happened to Taiwan’s Support for Same-Sex Marriage?” Taiwan Sentinel. December 3, 2018.

“Is a Joint Korean Olympics Possible – or Desirable?” The Diplomat. November 27, 2018.






Elizabeth Gribbins



Ben Hanson






William Tyler Hopkins


Kole Ingram


Lena Jerkins

“How Does the American Public View Trade Issues With China?” International Policy Digest. April 19, 2021.


Maria Julian


Sofia Kamali

Lucas Knight

“Yes, Americans Do Want More Domestically-Produced PPE” The National Interest. August 15, 2020.

“The Lingering Effects of Losing and Nonvoting on Institutional Trust: An Analysis of South Korea” Journal of Asian and African Studies. June 7, 2020.

Trade Off: Taiwanese Attitudes Toward FTAs” Taiwan Sentinel. April 26, 2017.

台灣民眾對TPP的支持──端看你如何解讀” Thinking Taiwan (Chinese edition). April 19, 2016.

“Support for Taiwan’s TPP Bid: It’s All in the Framing“ Thinking Taiwan. March 26, 2016.



Aleksandra Kozovic


Noah Lyles


Erika Manning

“Anti-Feminism and South Korea’s Presidential Election” The Diplomat. March 10, 2022. (as Erika Puhakka)

“Do Americans Support Foreign Aid If It Curbs Illegal Immigration?” National Interest. December 5, 2021. (as Erika Puhakka)

“Ask the Public: Who Is the Most Deserving of U.S. Foreign Aid?” National Interest. August 4, 2021. (as Erika Puhakka)

“Is There Declining South Korean Public Support for Humanitarian Aid to North Korea?” 38 North. July 2, 2020. (as Erika Puhakka)


Alexis Mayne



Ian Milden

“Is Democracy the Only Game in Town in Taiwan?” The News Lens. June 21, 2023.

“The American Public’s Doubts over Democratization in China” e-International Relations. April 12, 2023.

“Regulate or Ban TikTok? How Americans View the Potential Security Risk” The National Interest. April 5, 2023.

“To Understand Admissions…” Inside Higher Ed. September 26, 2022.

“How the American Public Understands—and Misunderstands—Free Speech” Fair Observer. August 18, 2022.

“The Conditionality for American Support for Sanctions on Russia” e-International Relations. August 7, 2022.

“Why South Koreans See Little Difference in Biden’s North Korea Policy” Pacific Forum. May 10, 2022.

“Why Electoral Runoffs Would Improve South Korea’s Democracy” East Asia Forum. April 30, 2022.

“Do South Koreans Believe North Koreans Can Assimilate Into Their Society?” Daily NK. April 13, 2022.

“South Korea: How Did the Park of Park Geun-hye Affect the Election?” New Lens. March 15, 2022.

“Gauging the Mexican view of US-China rivalry” East Asia Forum. October 1, 2021.

“Is America Ready to Raise the Minimum Wage?” Fair Observer. August 5, 2021.

“Mexico Runoff Elections” Modern Diplomacy. July 9, 2021.

“Research note: Does the public support fact-checking social media? It depends who and how you ask” Misinformation Review. November 2, 2020.

“Why Mail-In Voting Isn’t the Only Option for November” Inside Sources. August 6, 2020.

“Surveying the American Public on the Plight of Climate Refugees” E-International Relations. June 17, 2020.

“Americans Appear to Support Renewable Energy, But to what Extent?” International Policy Digest. June 1, 2020.

“Study Shows Widespread American Support for Health Aid to the Marshall Islands” The News Lens. April 4, 2020.


Hannah Neeper

“The Impact of Replacing Hung Hsiu-Chu” China Policy Institute November 17, 2015.

Perceptions of Gender in Taiwan’s Elections: Results from an Experimental Survey” Thinking Taiwan. November 16, 2015.




Alexandrea Pike-Goff


Patrick Schaller


Holden Schroeder



Shane Stryker




Stella Treumann

Would Taiwan Welcome Syrian Refugees?” Taiwan Sentinel. February 7, 2017.


Tani Washington

“Why Do Americans Distrust Foreign Aid?” The National Interest. July 31, 2022.

“Ask the Public: Who Is the Most Deserving of U.S. Foreign Aid?” National Interest. August 4, 2021.


Natalie Webb


Annie Whaley



Sydney Windhorst

“Why are South Koreans So Opposed to Accepting Refugees?” e-International Relations. October 26, 2023.

“To Understand Admissions…” Inside Higher Ed. September 26, 2022.

“How Americans See Their Role in the World” The National Interest. July 25, 2022.


Erin Woggon

WKU Honors
College Thesis of the Year 2020

“Surveying the American Public on the Plight of Climate Refugees” E-International Relations. June 17, 2020.

“Americans Appear to Support Renewable Energy, But to what Extent?” International Policy Digest. June 1, 2020.

“The public judgment of South Korea’s Covid-19 response” The Interpreter. March 27, 2020.

“South Korea: The Politics of COVID-19” The Diplomat. March 26, 2020.

“Understanding perceptions of harassment in South Korea” The Asia Dialogue. April 4, 2019.

“In South Korea, Corruption Knows No Gender” The News Lens International Edition. December 10, 2018.


Derek Woodruff


Anna Yankee