Matthew F. Filner

Matthew F. Filner is a Professor of Political Science at Metropolitan State University, where he serves as President of the Faculty Association and previously chaired the Social Science Department. Holding a PhD from Indiana University (2001), he teaches constitutional law, American politics, global politics, and political philosophy to Metro State's diverse student body.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Oberlin College (1991)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science from Indiana University, Bloomington (2001)

Research Interests: Professor Filner's scholarly work spans constitutional law, American political systems, global governance structures, political theory, and higher education policy. His research examines intersections between democratic theory and practical governance, with emphasis on electoral processes, campaign dynamics, and civic engagement frameworks. He investigates how political philosophy informs contemporary policy debates while analyzing institutional responses to societal challenges through interdisciplinary lenses.

Awards:

• Fulbright Scholar (2015-2016) for teaching American Presidential election analysis and global politics in Japan

Professional Narrative: Before joining Metro State in 2011, Filner leveraged his political science expertise in high-impact government and campaign roles. His career demonstrates seamless integration of academic rigor with practical political strategy, transitioning from campaign management to scholarly analysis while maintaining active engagement with democratic processes. His non-academic experience directly informs his teaching approach and research perspectives on real-world political dynamics.