Charles Rowling

Charles Rowling is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). He serves as Pre-Law Advisor and Director of the Kearney Law Opportunities Program (KLOP). His research focuses on the interplay between US officials, media, and public opinion in foreign policy contexts, emphasizing how national identity shapes these dynamics.

Education: B.A., University of Nebraska at Kearney | Ph.D., University of Washington. Joined UNK faculty in 2012. Hometown: Kearney, NE.

Research Interests: Explores international relations frameworks, including state behavior motivations, cultural influences on diplomacy, causes of war, and the role of international law. Specializes in American exceptionalism discourse, media framing effects, and public opinion dynamics related to US foreign policy and security issues like drone warfare and torture policy.

Recent work examines how Donald Trump redefined American exceptionalism rhetoric, the impact of media visibility on US democracy aid allocations, and cross-national journalism differences in covering military actions. His scholarship bridges political communication theory with empirical analysis of geopolitical narratives.

Teaching includes courses on international relations, UN institutions, international law, American foreign policy, and conflict studies. Emphasizes mentorship, having benefited from undergraduate guidance himself, and values fostering student development as a core professional priority.

Directs the KLOP initiative supporting law-related career pathways while maintaining active research collaboration with scholars like Jason Gilmore and Penelope Sheets. His work frequently addresses ethical dilemmas in security policy and the societal implications of shifting national identities.