About
Stephen Ceccoli serves as the P.K. Seidman Professor of Political Economy in the Department of International Studies at Rhodes College, where he has taught since 1998. His instructional portfolio includes international relations theory, comparative politics, international political economy, and senior seminars, complemented by leadership of summer study programs in Tianjin and Nanjing, China. He previously taught English at Tianjin Normal University during summer sessions.
Professor Ceccoli's educational background features a Ph.D. (1998) and M.A. (1994) from Washington University, and a B.A. (1990) from Heidelberg College.
His research centers on comparative public opinion and regulatory politics, with specialized expertise in health policy, pharmaceutical regulation, and public attitudes toward contentious issues including genetically modified foods, prescription drug advertising, and organ procurement. Significant scholarship examines welfare policy attitudes, economic inequality perceptions, privatization support, and trade liberalization across diverse political contexts. His 2004 monograph Pill Politics: Drugs and the FDA established foundational insights into U.S. regulatory processes.
Recent publications (2017-2023) reveal evolving research trajectories toward international security dynamics—particularly armed drone proliferation and policy transfer mechanisms—alongside analyses of pandemic governance and energy policy attitudes. These works demonstrate methodological sophistication through cross-national comparisons and narrative policy analysis.
His academic service includes recognition through:
- Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Teaching (2005)
- Jameson Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service (2010)
Professor Ceccoli actively mentors students through study abroad preparation, internship coordination, and research supervision. His campus leadership spans multiple committees including Faculty Governance, Information Technology, and the Board of Trustees. Professional service includes APSA Congressional Fellowship experience (staffing Senator Blanche Lincoln), journal reviewing, and international program development as Faculty Fellow for International Programs.
Collaborative research networks connect him with scholars across China, Europe, and the United States, particularly evident in co-authored works on Chinese governance and cross-national attitude studies.
