Derek Reiners

Dr. Derek Reiners is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, Public Administration & History at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), located in Fort Myers, Florida. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University (2006), an M.A. from the University of Wyoming (1998), and a B.A. in History and Ancient Studies from St. Olaf College (1994).

His research focuses on public policy with an emphasis on environmental governance, leveraging quantitative methods and survey research. Key areas include ecological concept utility among practitioners, wildfire management decision-making, and the intersection of environmental advocacy with scientific values. He also explores evolutionary and biosocial theories in political contexts, such as Hobbesian ethics and rationality frameworks.

Dr. Reiners teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in environmental governance, political science research methods, public policy analysis, and program evaluation. His work spans Ecosphere, Ecological Monographs, and Public Administration Review, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement between ecology and social sciences.

He has presented at major conferences like the Ecological Society of America meetings and the American Political Science Association conferences, addressing topics ranging from ecologist professional traits to wildfire management policies. His expertise bridges natural and social sciences, emphasizing policy-relevant research in environmental and institutional contexts.