Lynn Vavreck is the School of Politics and Global Studies' inaugural Distinguished Alumni Speaker

Lynn Vavreck, a full professor of political science and communication studies at University of California, Los Angeles, was the inaugural speaker for the School of Politics and Global Studies’ (SPGS) Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series.

The Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series through the School hosts one speaker per year and honors outstanding alumni for their accomplishments.  Nominations are reviewed by the School Director and chosen by an advisory committee.

“I nominated Lynn Vavreck because she is a very accomplished political scientist who also has a public persona as a regular contributor to the New York Times blog, the Upshot,” says SPGS professor Kim Fridkin. “Lynn has an impressive academic record, she has also contributed to building important political databases in her career (e.g., as a principal investigator for the Cooperation Campaign Analysis Project), and she often appears as a political expert on shows like MSNBC. On a personal note, Lynn was an undergraduate student in the first class that I taught at ASU over 25 years ago!” 

Vavreck received her B.S. in Political Science in 1990 and her M.A. in Political Science in 1992, both from Arizona State University. Her expertise is in campaigns, elections and public opinion. Vavreck has published four books, including "The Message Matters" and "The Gamble," and is also a contributing columnist at the New York Times.

Vavreck’s lecture focused on the data-journalism she has done through THE UPSHOT. She presented some of the findings of her research on campaign advertising and the perceptions of voters.

To keep up to date on upcoming talks hosted by the School of Politics and Global Studies, visit their events and research pages.