Curriculum Vitae
Joshua J. Weikert, PhD
Assoc. Professor of Politics and Chair, Department of Civic Engagement
Immaculata University
Professional Experience
Associate Professor and Department Chair, Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA, August 2016-present
Chair, Department of Civic Engagement, July 2020-present
Director, Honors Program, July 2018-present
Chief of Staff & Policy Director, 150th Legislative District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Office of Rep. Joe Webster, December 2018-present
Captain, Civil Affairs, United States Army Reserve. July 2023-present
Area of Concentration: Military Government Functional Specialist (38G4D – Law, Regulation & Policy)
Research Consultant, 2007-present.
Services include policy analysis, polling and survey research, and institutional analysis and comparison.
Academic History
Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, May 2013.
Dissertation Title: “Balancing Act: How an Unbalanced Media Affects the Electorate.” Dissertation Director: Michael Hagen, PhD.
Master of Science, Management & Leadership, Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA, May 2023.
Master of Arts, Political Science, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, May 2005.
Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, Political Science (International Relations), West Chester University, West Chester, PA, August 2002.
Honors Graduate, Modern Standard Arabic, Defense Language Institute – Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, CA, October 1998.
Awards/Honors
Fellow, Fulbright Specialist Program, J. William Fulbright Foundation, 2021-2025
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Political Science Department, West Chester University, 2024
Lindback Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award (nominee), 2020, 2024
Outstanding Faculty Award, Honors College, West Chester University, 2016
Excellence and Dedication in Teaching Award, Gwynedd Mercy University, 2014
Presidential Fellow, Temple University, 2005-2009
Selected Publications/Presentations
“Bridging the Gap: A Symposium Report on the Foundations, Functions, and Future of Functional Specialties in Civil Affairs.” 2024. The Shield.
“Position is Power: Systems, Structure, and Legislative Effectiveness.” 2023. International Social Science Review. 99:2.
“Sociability v. Structure as a Path to Legislative Success.” 2023. Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference.
“Cracking Down: Gerrymandering and the States.” 2021. Presented at the State of the Parties Conference, Bliss Center for Politics, University of Akron.
“Candidacy, Gender and Incumbency Advantage in the 2020 Election.” 2021. Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference.
“Wave or Trend: Female Candidates in Pennsylvania Elections in the Trump Era.” 2021. Commonwealth: A Journal of Pennsylvania Politics & Policy. Temple University Press: Philadelphia. 21:1. 53-73.
“The Trump Effect Revisited: Evidence from the 2018 Election Cycle.” 2019. Presented at the Pennsylvania Political Science Association Annual Meeting.
“Inside Two Parties: Ethnographic Analysis of Partisan Differences in Political Candidate Recruitment.” 2019. SAGE Research Methods Cases. SAGE Publishing: New York. doi:10.4135
“Inside Two Parties: Partisan Differences in Candidate Recruitment for Local Elections.” 2018. Presented at the 2018 Pennsylvania Political Science Association Annual Meeting.
“Misunderstanding the News: Credibility and News Literacy Among Social Media Users." 2017. Symposium presentation: Journalism and the Search for Truth in an Age of Social Media.
Book Review: In-Your-Face Politics: The Consequences of Uncivil Media. Diana C. Mutz. Princeton,New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2015.” 2016. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. 93:2. 44-47.
“One Campaign, Two Candidates.” 2015. Presented at the 72nd Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference.
“Fugitive vs. Minimal: An Examination of Media Effects in Independents and Partisans in Three Presidential Election Contests.” 2014. Presented at the Pennsylvania Political Science Association Annual Meeting.
“Media Tone and Effects in Presidential General Election Campaigns, 1996-2008.” 2011. Presented at the Pennsylvania Political Science Association Annual Meeting.
“Uncharted Territory: A Detailed Description and Analysis of the Media Environment During the 1996-2008 Presidential General Elections.” 2011. Presented at the Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference.
“Balancing Act: How Media Imbalance Affects the Electorate in Presidential Election Campaigns.” 2009. Proceedings of the 2009 Northeast Political Science Association Conference.
“Say Whatever You Want, Just Spell My Name Right: Feeding Frenzies & Media Effects Reconsidered.” 2009. Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference.
“Racing in the Offseason: Evaluating Campaign Coverage in Off-year Elections.” 2007. Presented at the Pennsylvania Political Science Association Annual Meeting.
Invited Lectures/Panels/Interviews
Panel Chair, “Candidate Quality in Modern Elections.” Midwest Political Science Association Conference, April 2023.
Panel Chair, “Trends in Healthcare Policy.” Midwest Political Science Association Conference, April 2023.
Roundtable, “Career: Being Faculty at a Liberal Arts College,” 2023 Midwest Political Science Association Conference, 2023, Participant and Chair.
Roundtable, “Public Engagement: Mixing Academics and Practical Politics,” 2023 Midwest Political Science Association Conference, 2023, Participant.
Invited Speaker, “Government and Politics in the US,“ Mohamed V University Faculty of Letters & Human Sciences, Rabat, MOROCCO, November 2022.
Roundtable, “Placement: Interviewing at a Teaching School,” 2022 Midwest Political Science Association Conference, 2022, Partipant.
Panelist, PA House Democratic Policy Committee hearing, “Supporting Main Street: State Resources for Small Businesses,” January 2020.
Panel Chair, “Efficacy and Voter Behavior,” American Political Science Association Conference, 2018. Boston, MA.
Panelist, “Legalization and Decriminalization of Marijuana in Pennsylvania.” Albright College, 2015. Reading, PA.
Panel Chair, “Mind your Exposure: Examining the effects of News and Information.” Midwest Political Science Association Conference, 2015. Chicago, IL.
Panelist/Political Science Faculty Representative, Groundswell Rising screening, Albright College, Reading, PA. October 2014.
Contributing source, Christian Science Monitor, multiple stories. Author: Husna Haq.
Interview subject, CQ Researcher, “Latino Voters: Will They Determine the Presidency in 2016?”
Interview subject, CNN, “How Game of Thrones is Like American Politics.” May 24th, 2014.
Research Interests
American Politics: Political communication, political psychology, public opinion, US electoral behavior, political institutions and public policy
Comparative Politics: Electoral systems, voting behavior
International Relations: Terrorism, intelligence & security studies
Professional Affiliations
National Conference of State Legislatures, Leadership Staff Professional Association
American Political Science Association
Northeastern Political Science Association
Midwest Political Science Association
Pennsylvania Political Science Association
National Society of Leadership and Success
Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Gamma Mu
Golden Key International Honour Society
Skills & Miscellany
Intermediate fluency in German; basic fluency in Spanish, French, and Modern Standard Arabic
Completed more than 14 marathons
“Jeopardy!” contestant, March 2025
Grand Master Beer Judge & Certified Cicerone