Kellee J. Kirkpatrick

Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor of American Politics and Public Policy

Office: Graveley Hall, North Wing, 3rd floor

(208) 282-2550

kelleekirkpatrick@isu.edu

Website

Ph.D. University of Kansas, 2012

Dr. Kellee J. Kirkpatrick earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Kansas where she concentrated her studies in American politics and public policy. She also earned a graduate certificate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from KU. Dr. Kirkpatrick has a diverse educational background including a master's degree in Strategic Communications and undergraduate degrees in Public Relations, Print Journalism, and Vocal Performance. 

Dr. Kirkpatrick's research agenda examines issues of women’s health and reproductive policy and specifically focuses on questions that concern how and why governments regulate private, social issues. Her research often explores how policy evolves at the intersection of morality and economic interests.  Because these issues are often the focus of public attention, her research examines how interest group activity and media frames influence public opinion, political behavior, and the policy process. Dr. Kirkpatrick has published her work in academic journals including Policy Studies Journal, Politics, Groups and Identities, and Climate.

Dr. Kirkpatrick has extensive teaching experience at several universities including the University of Kansas, Texas A&M University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and now Idaho State University. She has taught courses in American politics, state politics, public policy, research methods, media and politics, women in politics, health policy, reproductive politics, and grant writing. She enjoys engaging students in the research process and has co-authored several conference papers and journal articles with her undergraduate and graduate students. She is currently the adviser of the Political Science Club and the Alpha Phi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. 

Curriculum Vitae

Courses Taught

• The Presidency
• Political Parties and Interest Groups
• Women and Politics
• Media and Politics
• Reproductive Politics and Policy
• Health Politics and Policy
• Public Policy Theory
• State and Local Politics
• Research Methods
• Grant Writing

Select Publications

1. Strategery, Narratives, and Reading the Public: Developing a Micro-Level Theory of Political Strategies within the Narrative Policy Framework. (with James W. Stoutenborough). Policy Studies Journal (Forthcoming).
2. If ‘This is What a Feminist Looks Like,’ I Don’t Like It. (with James W. Stoutenborough). In The Hollywood Connection, ed. Heather E. Yates and Tim Hill. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 59-85 (Forthcoming).
3. The 'Not Yet Pregnant': The Impact of Narratives on Infertility Identity and Reproductive Policy." In Narrative, Identity, and Academic Community in Higher Eduation, eds. Brian Attebery, John Gribas, Mark K. McBeth, Paul Sivitz, and Kandi Turley-Ames. New York, NY: Routledge, 111-128 (2017).
4. What Butterfly Effect? The Contextual Differences in Public Perceptions of teh Health Risk Posed by Climate Change. (with James W. Stoutenborough, M. Jeremy Field, and Arnold Vedlitz). Climate 3(3): 668-688 (2015).
5. Climate Scientists and Environmental Interest Groups: The Intersection of Expertise and Advocacy. (with Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo, James W. Stoutenborough, and Arnold Vedlitz). Politics, Groups, and Identities, 2(1): 120-134 (2014).
6. Giving Girls a Shot: An Examination of Mandatory Vaccination Legislation. (with Alesha E. Doan). Policy Studies Journal, 41(2): 295-318 (2013).
7. Confidence in the Press: The Impact of Political Events on an Individual's Confidence. (with James W. Stoutenborough). Public Opinion Pros, www.publicopinionpros.com, April (2007).