Jenna Bednar | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
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Jenna Bednar

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Jenna Bednar

Professor of Political Science and Public Policy
Bednar's research combines positive political theory and systems theory to analyze how institutions remain effective in complex environments. She has contributed to the scholarly inquiry of the design of federalism; theoretical and experimental work on cultural evolution and institutional performance; and applied realms such as campaign contributions, transboundary water systems, and environmental sustainability.
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News

Using the arts and 'awe' to guide public policy

Oct 18, 2024
In a new pairing between the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy and U-M Museum of Art, students are learning how to develop human-centered experiences to guide public policy.This approach takes a step back from a traditional...
Students wander a room with framed artworks on floral wallpaper. The left wall reads in a decorative script, "Hey, we need to talk!"
News

The Student Vote

Oct 9, 2024
The UMich Votes coalition is aiming to increase voter registration and turnout among students on campusUniversity of Michigan students are continually breaking voter registration and turnout records. Some 78 percent of U-M students on the Ann Arbor...
A geometric wall of multi-colored buttons. The blue circle in the middle says "Vote 2024 UMMA."
News

Jonathan Van Ness Gets Curious About Voting

Oct 8, 2024
Jonathan Van Ness, star of the TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, brought their podcast, Getting Curious, to Ann Arbor for a live recording to discuss voting and civic engagement. They were joined in conversation by Ford School Dean Celeste...
van-ness
News

U-M kicks off initiative to promote civic participation

Sep 3, 2024
The University of Michigan is launching the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement, a campuswide presidential initiative to strengthen democratic practices and encourage active civic participation.“As we approach a pivotal...
Photo of students holding letter-shaped balloons that spell out "Vote"
News

Bednar on Biden dropping out of presidential race, road ahead

Jul 22, 2024
University of Michigan experts are available to discuss President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris—and the ramifications on the political landscape.Jenna Bednar, faculty director of...
Headshot of Jenna Bednar
News

Highlights from the Dean's Symposium

Apr 21, 2024
Two days of panels, chats, and keynotes focused on examining and seeking solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face in Michigan, in the United States, and across the globe. More than 400 students, faculty, staff, and friends attended in...
Keynote photo
News

Committee to advise on diversity of thought, free expression

Mar 5, 2024
The Ford School's Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Jenna Bednar and Communications Director Laura Lee are part of a new University of Michigan advisory committee to recommend how the institution should put into practice a new statement of...
Photo of a Michigan flag, hued blue
State & Hill

Seeking a resilient democracy

Dec 12, 2023
Of all of the recent headlines about U.S. government dysfunction, election denialism, and voter dissatisfaction, one in particular worries Ford School political scientist Jenna Bednar. The New York Times reported in October 2022, “Voters See...
A line of people waiting outside to vote
In the Media

Bednar on how Trump's abortion stance impacts his electoral chances

Nov 5, 2023 VG (Norway)
Jenna Bednar, VG (Norway): "As soon as a Republican politician takes a firm stance on abortion, he will probably upset one of these two important groups," Bednar explains to VG.  "The more ambiguous Trump can be, the better for his electoral...
Jenna Bednar
In the Media

Bednar on the GOP presidential race

Sep 21, 2023 Orlando Sentinel
Jenna Bednar, Orlando Sentinel: "Abortion is a hot potato for Republicans. Governors like DeSantis are in a tough spot, pinned to a position that is a loser on the national...
Jenna Bednar
In the Media

DeSantis creating a "big target" with anti-gay message - Bednar

Jul 11, 2023 Orlando Sentinel
Jenna Bednar, Orlando Sentinel: Jenna Bednar, a professor of political science at the University of Michigan, said DeSantis’ battle with Disney, in particular, looks from outside Florida to be a “vindictive” attack on a company that took a stance on...
Jenna Bednar
In the Media

Freedom Caucus tactics may backfire - Bednar

Jun 10, 2023 Newsweek
Jenna Bednar, Newsweek: Jenna Bednar, professor of political science and public policy at the University of Michigan, told Newsweek that although the headaches will likely continue while some members keep McCarthy "hostage," it may inadvertently...
Jenna Bednar
State & Hill

Faculty News, spring 2023

May 3, 2023
Dominique Adams-Santos, Celeste Watkins-Hayes, and PhD candidate Kayonne Christy contributed a chapter, "Narratives in Context: Locating Racism and Sexism in Black Women's Health Experiences," to The Routledge Companion to...
Headshots of Kathryn M. Dominguez, Rusty Hills, Morela Hernandez, Brian Jacob, Barry Rabe, Megan Stewart, David Thacher, Christina Weiland
State & Hill

Faculty Findings, spring 2023

May 3, 2023
A fractured superpower  States have driven important federal policy changes around voting, civil and reproductive rights, environmental protections, and more. What happens when states take it upon themselves to experiment with energy, trade, and...
Headshots of Jenna Bednar and Joy Rohde
In the Media

Bednar critiques Florida Republicans' approach to 2024 elections

Apr 14, 2023 Sentinel & Enterprise
Jenna Bednar, Sentinel & Enterprise: "We had moderate voters crossing over what would be stereotypical party-line votes to support positions that they believe are the right policy choice for themselves and for their families. I don’t understand what...
Jenna Bednar
In the Media

Slotkin senate race will test her campaign style - Bednar

Feb 28, 2023 Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press: "Slotkin has a remarkable gift for connecting with people at a human scale. She's transparent and earns their trust," said Jenna Bednar, a professor of political science and public policy at the University of Michigan. "(But)...
Jenna Bednar
News

Showcasing student talent to inspire democratic engagement

Jan 15, 2023
Five student acts will vie for prizes at a free, festival-style concert at Hill Auditorium on January 21 in a performance that celebrates the grand finale of the Songs for Democracy competition. The competition invited students to compose...
Songs for Democracy
In the Media

Bednar speculates about 2024 Michigan Senate seat

Jan 5, 2023 Newsweek
Jenna Bednar, Newsweek: "I think this is great news for both parties of Michigan. [Stabenow] opened her announcement by talking about how much talent is in the state. Oh my goodness does the Republican Party of Michigan need reorganization, as they...
Jenna Bednar
In the Media

Bednar discusses who will replace Senator Stabenow

Jan 5, 2023 WSJM
Jenna Bednar, WSJM: "She opened that announcement by talking about the deep talent in the state in the Democratic party, and I think everybody is seeing that. There’s a number of people you could imagine throwing their hat in the...
Jenna Bednar
State & Hill

Discourse: Fordies in the news, fall 2022

Dec 19, 2022
“The line of students registering to vote on Election Day stretched across the University of Michigan campus, with students waiting for over four hours. There was a palpable sense of excitement and urgency around the election on campus. For many...
Headshots of Isabelle Schindler, Jenna Bednar, Jonathan Hanson, Tom Ivacko, Rusty Hills, and Abdul El-Sayed