Dr. Pauline Jones

Biography

Pauline Jones is a Professor and the Edie N. Goldenberg Endowed Director of the Michigan Washington Program at the University of Michigan's Department of Political Science. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, graduating with distinction. She has played a significant role in enhancing the understanding of institutional change, economic development, and religious regulation in Central Asia, particularly in countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Her research explores how religious regulation influences the political attitudes and behaviors of citizens in Muslim-majority countries, especially in the context of compliance with health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Professor Jones is leading major research projects that investigate the relationship between religious regulation and autocracy in modern-day Muslim-majority countries, with a focus on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. She has published extensively in leading academic journals, including the American Political Science Review and the Annual Review of Political Science, and authored several influential books regarding political dynamics in Central Asia. Her courses include topics such as radical political Islam and qualitative research methods, making her a vital contributor to both the academic and local community.

Research Interests

Experience

Courses