The American Professor Pundit Academics in the World of US Political Media

This book considers the production of political media content from the perspective of academics who are increasingly asked to join the ranks of voices charged with informing the public. The work draws on the authors’ first-hand experience and relationships with media reporters, managers, producers, and academics offering their expertise to a wide array of media outlets to understand and report on the dynamics shaping how the academic voice in political news may be at its most useful. Featured prominently in the book is the trade-off between a conventional form of political punditry, which is often characterized by partisan rancour, and a more analytical, theoretical, and/or policy-based approach to explaining politics to both general and diverse audiences. Along the way, the work draws on original survey, in-depth interview, and experimental data to garner insights on what academics in media, reporters, and media managers perceive are the appropriate roles for academics featured inpolitical media. This book also contains relevant technical tips for effective media communication by academics.   

Brian R. Calfano is Professor of Political Science and Journalism at the University of Cincinnati, USA. In addition to authoring dozens of peer-reviewed publications, he is an award-winning political reporter and analyst for television stations in the US and Canada.

Valerie Martinez-Ebers is Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas, USA. In addition to her various appearances across media and dozens of peer-reviewed publications, she is the former editor of The American Political Science Review.

Aida Ramusovic is a Doctoral student in Political Science at the University of Cincinnati, USA. She is a former reporter, anchor, and senior editor at TV Vijesti (a national broadcast network in her native Montenegro).