Quin Monson, an associate professor of political science at Brigham Young University, has been appointed the new director of BYU’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy effective June 1, 2012. Joining him as associate director is Chris Karpowitz, an assistant professor of political science.
Monson will replace Kelly Patterson, who has been appointed associate dean of the College of Family Home and Social Sciences. Patterson will remain associated with the Center, joining David Magleby, its founding director, as a senior research fellow.
The Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy is a nonpartisan research center seeking to increase knowledge about the practice of democracy in the United States and in other countries. It mentors undergraduates in research projects such as the Utah Colleges Exit Poll, Utah Voter Poll and other research in order to teach them about the importance of thoughtful and rigorous research on democracy and to prepare them for careers or graduate education.
The Center is committed to the production and dissemination of research that meets high academic standards, is useful to policy makers and informs citizens.
Monson graduated cum laude from BYU in 1996 with a combined bachelor's/master's degree in public policy. He completed his doctorate at The Ohio State University in 2004. He joined BYU’s Political Science Department in 2004 and had previously been serving as the Center's associate director.
Chris Karpowitz graduated summa cum laude from BYU in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in political science, received his doctrate from Princeton University in 2006 and joined BYU’s Political Science Department in 2006. He was previously affiliated with the Center as a research fellow.
For more information, contact the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at (801) 422-3716, csed.byu.edu.