Brian Bernhardt

Brian Bernhardt is a Professor of Politics & Government at Western Colorado University. He is affiliated with the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department and contributes to programs such as Global Studies, Latin American Studies, Pre-Law, and Politics & Government Secondary Licensure.

• PhD in Political Science, University of Colorado Boulder (2014)
• MA in Political Science, University of Colorado Boulder (2010)
• BA in Political Science and Philosophy, James Madison University (2005)

His research and teaching focus on anti-authoritarian social movements, democratic theory, environmental politics, and the political economy of capitalism and globalization. He explores intersections between state institutions and non-state political actors, with applied interests in extractive industries and sustainable food systems.

Bernhardt teaches courses spanning American politics, comparative politics, political theory, and constitutional law. He is particularly active in environmental and political economy curricula, with offerings like Politics of the Environment and Political Economy of Capitalism.

Outside academia, he actively engages with the Gunnison Valley's environment through outdoor recreation and local food systems. He maintains a vegetable garden and practices cooking with locally-sourced ingredients.