Lauren Ratliff Santoro

Lauren Ratliff Santoro is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), affiliated with the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS). She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University (2017 and 2013, respectively), and a B.A. in Government & English from The University of Texas at Austin (2010). Her research focuses on American Political Behavior, Political Networks, and Political Psychology, with particular attention to how partisan identities shape responses to academic research and social information. She explores topics such as voter psychology, peer influence on academic performance, and the interplay between elite communication and public opinion.

Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals, including studies on partisan skepticism toward scientific findings, the role of primary elections in shaping general election enthusiasm, and the dynamics of social networks in political decision-making. Notably, her research highlights how political beliefs influence environmental preferences and how official vs. social information impacts public health responses to infectious diseases. Santoro’s contributions bridge theoretical insights with applied policy analysis, particularly in public health communication and educational outcomes.

Since 2017, she has been a core faculty member at UTD, contributing to both undergraduate and graduate teaching in political science. Her academic profile reflects a commitment to understanding the psychological and social mechanisms underlying political behavior, with implications for public policy and civic engagement.