Nicole Yadon is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at The Ohio State University. Her main research and teaching interests center on advancing our understanding of race and ethnic politics, public opinion and political behavior in the American context. To date, her work has received a number of fellowships, grants and awards—including two National Science Foundation grants and the MPSA’s Lucius Barker Award for best paper on race and ethnic politics.

Please list your educational history including degrees earned and universities attended. 

BA, MA and PhD in political science, all from the University of Michigan.

Please describe your current research/creative activity or area(s) of interest. 

My research centers around understanding identity and political psychology with a focus on how race—particularly the lightness or darkness of one’s skin color—shapes people’s experiences, opportunities and views. I am a political scientist by training, but also draw heavily from theories and research in both psychology and sociology. I use a variety of research methods, including surveys, experiments and in-depth interviews, to investigate these complex relationships.

What/who influenced you to select your area(s) of study and how has that impacted your career? 

I was interested in learning more about politics in college and enrolled in an upper-level public opinion course my sophomore year. It quickly became my favorite class; I enjoyed all of the topics we discussed because they related to how people think about other groups and develop political views. Until that point, I hadn’t really encountered social science research before, but the course readings touched on so many topics that were relevant to my own day-to-day life. I regularly attended office hours and at the end of the semester, that professor encouraged me to consider developing my own research project as an honors thesis and introduced me to how one becomes a social scientist.  

What undergraduate classes do you teach? 

I teach several undergraduate courses, all focused on public opinion, political psychology and group identity. One of my favorites is PS 4143 Race, Ethnicity, and American Politics. I am also teaching a new GE course in Spring 2025: PS 1910 Introduction to the Politics of Identity, which I am very excited about. 

Why do you think a student should take these classes and why would they be of interest to students majoring in other disciplines?

I highly recommend these classes to anyone interested in understanding the present political moment as it relates to partisanship, representation and inter-group dynamics. Even if you're not a political science major, these classes can be incredibly valuable. They provide critical insights into the social and political dynamics that shape our society, which are relevant to a wide range of fields and career paths. You'll learn how to think critically about research, engage in civil discussions about potentially controversial topics and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives that exist within our society.

What aspects of your teaching give you the most satisfaction?

It is always rewarding to see students grasp new concepts, challenge their own assumptions and learn new skills they can apply to their respective career paths.

If there are opportunities for undergraduates to connect with you for research, please share what this would be and how students should reach out to you.

I am always happy to connect with undergraduate students interested in research. I regularly mentor students on research projects and honors theses, which often stem from students who have previously taken my courses. 

What book/movie would you recommend or what music do you enjoy? 

I listen to a wide range of music. I usually listen to a classical playlist while I am working on research projects and writing. When I am heading to and from work, I always have the radio set to a rock station.

What is the most interesting place you have visited? 

I did a semester study abroad in Florence, Italy, which I greatly enjoyed. Cinque Terre was the most beautiful place and I hope to visit again someday soon. 

What is the best advice you have received? 

Stay true to yourself and be persistent. 

What advice would you give to undergraduate students? 

I always encourage students to be more proactive in taking advantage of all the opportunities Ohio State has to offer. There are so many great resources around campus, including the Writing Center. 

Feel free to stop by my office hours. 

I love to talk about the metro parks in central Ohio. 

Would you like to share a fun/interesting fact about yourself?

I am a big fan of game shows and once auditioned for Wheel of Fortune. 

Learn more about Dr. Yadon’s work, email and office location on her department web page.