Nicole Freiner

Nicole L. Freiner is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Bryant University, specializing in Comparative Politics and Environmental Politics. She has published extensively on rice policy in Japan, gender politics, and environmental activism.

• PhD: Colorado State University
• MA: Colorado State University
• BA: Alfred University

Her research focuses on the intersection of agricultural policy and cultural preservation, emphasizing food sovereignty and gender dynamics in Japan. Recent work explores the impacts of trade agreements like the TPP, post-Fukushima environmental movements, and the role of women in shaping policy discourse.

Freiner's publications span topics such as rice farming traditions, nuclear disaster response, and Confucian nationalism. Key themes include institutional change, local governance, and cultural identity in policy frameworks.

• Best Faculty-Student Collaboration, 2022
• School of Health and Behavioral Sciences Fellow, 2022
• Merit Pay Awards (2019, 2017, 2014)
• NEH Summer Scholar Award, 2015

Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, Freiner contributes to environmental discourse through her research on agricultural cooperatives, food security, and social movements. She mentors students and participates in professional organizations including the American Political Science Association and the Japan Studies Association.