Travis B Nelson

Travis B. Nelson is a Professor of Social Sciences and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.A. in Political Science from St. Olaf College. His research focuses on international relations, security studies, and the intersection of natural disasters with global politics. He also explores themes like foreign aid dynamics, sport diplomacy, and soft power through cultural exports like Hollywood films.

Recent scholarship highlights his work on American soft power through pop culture, democratic justifications for war, and the political dimensions of international sporting events. Current projects include studies on deliberative democracy in wartime discourse and the humanitarian aspects of natural disaster responses. His work frequently appears in journals such as Globalizations, Democracy & Security, and European Journal of International Relations.

Nelson’s academic leadership includes administrative roles at UW-Platteville and a robust record of collaborative research with scholars like Daniel Kapust and Patrick Cottrell. His interdisciplinary approach bridges political theory, international institutions, and global crises management.