Contact
Areas of expertise
Biography
I am a first generation scholar that obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. At Milwaukee I studied American politics, comparative politics, and political methodology. While completing my graduate studies, I had the opportunity to be employed as a teaching assistant at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) methodological summer camp.
Following the completion of my Ph.D., I held a postdoctoral fellowship in Political Behavior at Lund University in Sweden where I taught methodology and published on political behavior. Prior to my appointment at the University of Turku, I had a tenure track professor position in the United States. In this position, I was elected to prominent leadership roles on campus, such as the Chair of the Faculty Senate. In my previous position, I taught on a range of topics; including political methodology, American politics, European politics, and comparative politics.
Teaching
I teach mainly the methodology courses at the advanced Bachelor's level and the Master's level; including both quantative and qualitative methodologies. In my courses, I emphasize that the research question should determine the methodological tool that a student utlizes rather than a student developing a research agenda to implement a specific method.
Pedagogical Approaches
Quantitative methodological courses in particular have a tendency to be intimidating to students due to the difficulty of learning the intricacies of a statistical software platform. Learning any statistical software platform requires consistent and diverse modes of practice akin to learning a language. Therefore, an effective instructor must provide ample opportunities to engage with the platform and implement the quantitative techniques. This requires the utilization of several pedagogical approaches. The pedagogical approaches that I utilize include traditional facilitated learning, inquiry-based, constructivist, and collaborative pedagogical approaches - highlighted above and summarized below.
- Traditional facilitated learning - Material is introduced through assigned readings and lectures.
- Inquiry-Based - Students are provided clearly defined, structured activities.
- Constructivist - Students are tasked with developing their own research activities.
- Collaborative - Students are assigned to work in teams to develop research activities.
I have also published research on effective approaches to teaching quantitative methodology:
- Hansen, Michael A. Forthcoming. “Enhanced Outcomes, Improved Feedback: Maximizing Success Through Collaborative Final Projects in Quantitative Methods Courses,” Journal of Political Science Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/15512169.2024.2392729
Pedagogical Training:
- Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Course Completion
- LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone Training - Designated Ally
- Culture and Diversity in the Classroom Training
- Teaching and Learning Online I - Course Developer Training
- Teaching and Learning Online II - Advanced Instructor Training
- Community-Based Learning Training
- High-Impact Practices in the Classroom Training
Research
My research interests include political behavior in the United States and Europe. In particular, much of my research focuses on underrepresented groups in these regions and political movements that target minority groups. The focus of my dissertation was on the electoral behavior of individuals that cast a vote for populist radical right political parties throughout Europe. I find that institutional structures, individual attitudes, and macro-social forces combine to explain vote choice through the use of a comprehensive empirical model.
I continue to research European political attitudes and behavior and have published in journals such as Comparative European Politics, Social Science Quarterly, German Politics, German Politics & Society, Sexuality Research and Social Policy, Party Politics and Electoral Studies. The topics I published on have included radical right party voting behavior, radical left party voting behavior, the impact of Chancellor candidates in German politics, attitudes towards social policy and sexual behavior, and attitudes towards democracy. I have also publsihed a book on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party.
Additionally, a substantial amount of my current research explores gender and politics. I have published articles in journals such as Politics and Gender, Journal of Women, Politics, & Policy, Political Research Quarterly, Political Behavior, and American Politics Research on gendered politics. The topics I have published on include attitudes towards the #MeToo movement, perceptions of women candidates' underrepresentation in elected office, the gender gap in political knowledge, the gender gap in voting for radical right parties, and the gender gap in the use of force in conflicts. A lot of my work in this area demonstrates the ever important role that partisanship plays in the subfield.
I have recently been interested in exploring topics within the field of criminal justice. I have published a study on law enforcement transparency in Policing: An International Journal. I have also published on the role of political ideology and attitudes towards police in the same journal. In addition, I have publicatios in Crime & Delinquency and the Journal of Experimental Criminology that explored racial, gender, and partisan gaps in support for policing and correctional reforms and views on officer involved shootings. I have several additional manuscripts under review.
Another newer research area of interest involves views on sex work. I have published an article in The Journal of Sex Research that explores how survey question wording impacts views on sex work. A study in Sexuality and Culture explores individual level associations with the exchange of sexual services for payment and a range of activities. Another study published in Sexuality and Culture explores positive and negative associations with the sex industry. Finally, I also have studies published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy on the topic.