Chad Westerland

Chad Westerland is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Arizona's School of Government and Public Policy. His research focuses on judicial politics, American politics, and political methodology, with notable work appearing in top journals such as the American Journal of Political Science. He has secured a National Science Foundation grant for research on immigration law. His teaching includes undergraduate courses on American Constitutional Law and Judicial Process, as well as graduate courses on statistical methodology.

Research interests include judicial behavior, public perception of courts, and the dynamics of Supreme Court decision-making. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, particularly in measuring judicial ideology and analyzing legal-political interactions.

Recent publications explore polarization in attitudes toward the Supreme Court, strategic defiance in appellate courts, and the implications of immigration policy reforms. His scholarship contributes to understanding institutional tensions and ideological shifts in legal and political systems.