Shannon O'Brien

Shannon O'Brien is an Associate Professor of Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on political rhetoric, American political history, eugenics studies, and media analysis. She examines how historical ideologies like eugenics influence modern political discourse and policy, particularly in immigration and identity politics. Her work also explores presidential communication strategies, nationalist populism, and the interplay between entertainment culture and governance.

Key research areas include the rhetorical framing of political figures, the legacy of eugenics in American institutions, and the role of spectacle in modern leadership. She has analyzed Donald Trump’s use of wrestling-inspired rhetoric and the implications of such strategies for democratic norms. Her work extends to historical studies of presidential leadership styles, from the Progressive Era to contemporary figures like Barack Obama.

Her publications span analyses of immigration policy, media’s role in truth construction, and the impact of cultural narratives on political identity. O’Brien’s interdisciplinary approach integrates political science, history, and cultural studies to critique contemporary political dynamics.