Lindsey Lupo

Lindsey Lupo serves as Professor of Political Science and Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Public Engagement at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU). Her academic career spans two decades with a focus on urban political dynamics, social movement analysis, and systemic responses to political violence. She has established herself as a leading scholar on riot commissions and democratic deliberation through extensive publications and field research.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
• M.A., University of California, Irvine
• B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara

Research Profile: Dr. Lupo's scholarship centers on urban political systems, social movement outcomes, and political violence, with particular emphasis on institutional responses to civil unrest. Her book Flak-Catchers: One Hundred Years of Riot Commission Politics established foundational frameworks for analyzing commission politics, while her recent work examines the Ferguson Commission through lenses of democratic deliberation and protest efficacy. Field research in South Africa and the Czech Republic informs her comparative studies of democratization processes.

Publication Evolution: Her scholarly trajectory reveals a progression from historical analyses of 20th-century urban riots (1965 Watts, 1992 LA) toward contemporary movements (Occupy, Ferguson), consistently exploring how societies institutionalize responses to upheaval. Recent publications demonstrate increasing interdisciplinary reach into gender studies (Disney Channel representations) and pedagogical innovation, while maintaining core focus on commission politics and democratic resilience.

Recognition:

• PLNU Excellence in Teaching Award (2019)
• Kettering Foundation Research Agreement (2015-2016)
• Multiple competitive PLNU grants (Alumni, Wesleyan, RASP)
• UC Irvine Chancellor’s Club Dissertation Fellowship (2005-2006)

Academic Leadership: As Dean, she oversees curriculum development while maintaining active international engagement through faculty-led programs in South Africa and Prague. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained external funding for research on deliberative democracy, with the Kettering Foundation agreement supporting community-based democratic innovation projects. She integrates teaching innovation through civic skill-building exercises documented in pedagogical publications.

Public Engagement: Dr. Lupo bridges academia and public discourse as a frequent political commentator for NPR, CNN, and The Guardian, particularly regarding the Ferguson Commission and Confederate symbol debates. She co-founded the San Diego Deliberation Network (2013-2019) and contributed to LEAD San Diego initiatives, demonstrating commitment to translating scholarly insights into community practice.