Kristyn Karl

Kristyn Karl is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Stevens Institute. Her research focuses on political psychology, integrating political communication, risk perception, partisan bias, and the interplay of gender and emotion in political attitudes.

• PhD in Political Science (2015), University of Michigan
• MA in Political Science (2011), University of Michigan
• BA in Government and Psychology (2006), Franklin & Marshall College

Her research spans three key areas: Public Opinion & Nuclear Weapons, Emotion, Gender, and Political Attitudes, and Risk Perceptions & Bias. She uses experimental methods to investigate how emotional appeals, gender stereotypes, and partisan identities shape political evaluations and behaviors. A major focus has been on nuclear weapons risk communication strategies, including a 3-year Carnegie Corporation-funded project.

Notable grants include:

• Reinventing Civil Defense ($500,000, PI with Alex Wellerstein): Developing 21st-century nuclear risk communication strategies
• Gendered Emotional Appeals ($3,900, with Lindsey Cormack): Examining emotion and gender in political communication
• Nuclear Risk Communication Tools ($37,600, with Ashley Lytle): Evaluating message effectiveness

Her publications demonstrate methodological innovation in experimental design, including physiological arousal measurement and emotional induction tasks. She explores how science curiosity mitigates partisan bias in politicized contexts like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karl's work has appeared in journals including American Journal of Political Science, Political Behavior, and Journal of Risk Research. She actively participates in professional societies such as the Southern Political Science Association and the International Society of Political Psychology.