Jenna Bednar

Jenna Bednar is Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan and Edie N. Goldenberg Endowed Director of Michigan in Washington. She serves as External Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute, contributing to interdisciplinary research on complex systems and institutional design.

Education:

• B.A., University of Michigan
• M.A., Stanford University
• Ph.D., Stanford University

Her research program investigates how collective action builds social goods through governmental collaboration, with emphasis on robust federal system design. Current work examines states as innovators in federal systems, out-of-district campaign contributions, cultural influences on legal compliance, transboundary water governance, and frameworks for human flourishing. Her scholarship bridges political science, institutional analysis, and complex systems theory to address real-world governance challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• APSA Martha Derthick Best Book Award for 'The Robust Federation: Principles of Design'
• Daniel Elazar Distinguished Federalism Scholar Award (2020)

Dr. Bednar directs the Michigan in Washington program providing experiential learning in U.S. governance, while her Santa Fe Institute affiliation enables cross-disciplinary exploration of institutional evolution and system resilience.