Stephen J. Farnsworth

Stephen J. Farnsworth is Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Mary Washington, where he also directs the Center for Leadership and Media Studies. With over 32 years of academic experience following a career as a reporter for the Kansas City Star, Dr. Farnsworth has established himself as a leading expert on political media, the American presidency, and Virginia politics.

His research interests span political humor and late-night comedy's relationship with presidential politics, media coverage of political events, public opinion dynamics, and the evolving landscape of political communication in the digital age. Dr. Farnsworth has conducted extensive international work through Fulbright programs and State Department engagements across dozens of countries, bringing global perspectives to his analysis of American politics.

Dr. Farnsworth's scholarly output includes nine books, with his most recent works examining political humor in the Trump-Biden era and strategies for combating disinformation in news consumption. His research shows consistent focus on how media shapes political understanding and how political figures leverage media platforms to influence public opinion.

• Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award recipient
• Regular political analyst for major news outlets including NBC, Washington Post, and international media
• Extensive international lecturing and research experience across five continents

As a frequent media commentator, Dr. Farnsworth provides expert analysis on Virginia gubernatorial races, congressional elections, and national political trends, with particular attention to how national politics increasingly dominate local contests. His current research examines the transformation of late-night political comedy in the streaming era and the implications for political discourse.