Kellee J. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.

Dr. Kellee J. Kirkpatrick is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Idaho State University. She 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. As health is often a product of environment, her research also frequently intersects with environmental politics. 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.