Karen Sebold

Karen Sebold is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. Her work focuses on American politics, campaign finance, and election administration.

• PhD in Public Policy, University of Arkansas (2013)
• MA in Political Science, University of Arkansas (2008)
• BS in Political Science, Rogers State University (2005)

Her research examines the intersection of partisan politics and regulatory frameworks, including a forthcoming book on Loose Laws, Partisan Politics, and a Gridlocked Federal Election Commission (Kansas University Press). Key areas include campaign finance reform, presidential nomination dynamics, and federalism.

Recent publications highlight trends in corporate lobbying for international trade agreements, unintended consequences of campaign finance policies, and predictive modeling in electoral forecasting. Awards include the Elaine McNeil Bequest Award and American Political Science Association Travel Grant.

She has secured multiple grants from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education for projects analyzing Super PAC spending, private prison PAC contributions, and judicial election fundraising in Arkansas.