Dr. Michael Auslen (PhD, Columbia University; MPP, Harvard University; BA, Indiana University) is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Government at The University of Texas at Austin. He is slated to join the department as an Assistant Professor in the fall of 2025.

Dr. Auslen’s research focuses on democratic representation, the media’s influence, and the role of public opinion in policymaking, particularly within state and local politics. He investigates how entities like local news organizations and political parties can strengthen or weaken the connections between citizens and their elected officials. His interests also encompass political methodology, especially methods for estimating public opinion.

His work is forthcoming in journals such as Political Behavior and Studies in American Political Development.

Prior to his academic career, Dr. Auslen worked as a journalist covering state and local politics for the Tampa Bay Times, the Miami Herald, and the Indianapolis Star.