Drew Lanier

Dr. Drew Lanier is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF), affiliated with the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs. He joined UCF in 1997 and emphasizes teaching as a vital craft for shaping future leaders. His research focuses on American politics, judicial decision-making, and the impact of judicial diversity on court operations. He is renowned for his book Of Time and Judicial Behavior, analyzing over a century of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and is currently working on a book examining the evolving diversity of U.S. courts as reflections of societal dynamics.

Key research interests include religious affiliations of federal judges, executive orders' long-term impacts, judicial appointment dynamics, and consensus erosion in the Supreme Court. His work has been featured in top-tier political science journals and interdisciplinary outlets.

In 2014, he received the Undergraduate Teaching Award from the College of Sciences, recognizing his dedication to education. Lanier’s scholarship bridges historical analysis with contemporary issues, addressing topics like elder victimization trends, Florida judicial reform, and chief justice leadership styles. His interdisciplinary approach integrates legal, sociological, and historical frameworks to explore judicial behavior and institutional evolution.