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Professor Dr. Michael Alvarez

Professor

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Biography

Michael Alvarez is the Flintridge Foundation Professor at the California Institute of Technology, focusing on political methodologies and computational social science. Since 2002, he has been a professor and previously held associate and assistant professorships. Alvarez's research encompasses public opinion, voting behavior, election technology, electoral politics, and statistical computational modeling. He has a B.A. from Carleton College and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University. His work is notable for empirically testing formal models related to elections and voting, contributing significantly to the fields of political behavior and methodology. His research interests include elections, campaigns, political behavior, election administration, election security, public opinion, statistics, computer science, machine learning, and survey methodology.

Research Interests

Public Opinion Voting Behavior Election Technology Election Administration Electoral Politics Political Campaigns Statistical Computational Modeling Machine Learning Deep Learning Survey Methodology

Experience

Flintridge Foundation Professor

2024-01-01 — Present

California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA

Currently serves as a professor focusing on political computational social science.

Professor

2002-01-01 — 2024-01-01

California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA

Held the position of professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Associate Professor

1995-01-01 — 2002-01-01

California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA

Served as associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Assistant Professor

1992-01-01 — 1995-01-01

California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA

Started as an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Requirements for California Institute of Technology

Doctorate Program

Requirements

TOEFL
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Overall
Required:7

Prerequisites

Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong background in mathematics and physical sciences

Application Checklist

  • Online Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Resume/CV

Specialization Notes

Most Caltech graduate programs are PhD-only. GRE General and Subject tests vary by department; many have made them optional or no longer accept them.