Ryan L. Claassen

Ryan L. Claassen is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Political Science at Kent State University, located on the Kent campus. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Davis (2005), and a B.A. in History from Goshen College (1994). His research focuses on political participation, citizen competence, public opinion, election administration, religion and politics, interest groups, and racial and ethnic politics. Claassen has authored Godless Democrats and Pious Republicans (Cambridge University Press) and co-edited The Evangelical Crackup? (Temple University Press), alongside numerous journal articles in top-tier political science publications.

His work has been featured in national and international media, including the Washington Post’s Monkey Cage, NPR, and NBC affiliates, where he discusses religion’s role in politics, voting behavior, and election administration. Claassen teaches at both the undergraduate and doctoral levels, covering American Politics, Public Opinion, and Methodology. His research has explored topics such as partisan polarization, the influence of religious groups on political coalitions, and the psychological underpinnings of voter behavior.

Recent scholarship includes investigations into partisan bias in campaign tactics, the pressures affecting survey respondents, and the group-based foundations of partisan choices. His contributions to the field emphasize methodological rigor and the application of experimental designs to understand political phenomena. Claassen’s work bridges theoretical inquiry with practical implications for electoral systems and civic education.