Dr. Zeynep Somer Topcu

Professor

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Biography

Zeynep Somer-Topcu is a Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin, where her research focuses on European politics, party politics, and voter behavior. She has served as chief editor of the British Journal of Political Science and has undertaken leadership roles such as Vice-President of the Midwest Political Science Association and Chair of the Diversity Committee for the European Political Science Society. Her work critically examines the dynamics of elections in advanced parliamentary democracies, including gendered leadership in party politics. Somer-Topcu's research sheds light on electoral strategies of political parties and their behavioral consequences. With published works including 'Glass Ceilings, Glass Cliffs, Quicksands: Gendered Party Leadership in Parliamentary Systems', she continues to investigate issues of representation, electoral outcomes, and civic engagement. In addition to her research contributions, she teaches courses such as 'Government and Politics of Western Europe' and 'Comparative Political Parties' at both undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing the importance of comparative methods and political analysis in contemporary politics.

Research Interests

Courses

Government Politics of Western Europe Comparative Political Parties Scope Methods

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.