Jonathan B. Slapin

Jonathan B. Slapin serves as Full Professor of Political Institutions and European Politics at the University of Zurich's Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Political Science. His academic appointments include teaching core courses such as Political Systems and Theories I, Elections and Party Competition in Europe, and Switzerland, Europe and the World for the 2025 academic year.

Slapin's research focuses on comparative political institutions, legislative behavior, party systems, and European integration, utilizing advanced quantitative content analysis methods. His work examines how parliamentary debates reflect political dynamics, voter reactions to legislative speech, and the interplay between public polarization and electoral behavior in European contexts. A recurring theme across his scholarship is the analysis of intraparty dissent and its consequences for political representation.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on European parliamentary politics and voter behavior, with significant contributions to understanding radical party dynamics, gender effects in legislative speech, and the methodology of expert surveys. The research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of legislative behavior across multiple European contexts.

Scientific recognition includes:

• 2016 Richard Fenno Prize for The Politics of Parliamentary Debate
• 2016 Leon Epstein Outstanding Book Award
• Jewell-Loewenberg Prize
• Leon Weaver Prizes

Slapin currently serves as co-editor of the Oxford University Press/ECPR Comparative Politics Book Series and as comparative politics co-editor at Legislative Studies Quarterly. His teaching portfolio demonstrates deep engagement with European politics through multiple seminar and lecture courses focusing on European integration, party competition, and Switzerland's role in European governance.