{"id":52,"date":"2026-08-07T19:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T19:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/political-science-and-public-service\/?p=52"},"modified":"2026-08-07T19:50:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T19:50:15","slug":"spring-2026-february-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/political-science-and-public-service\/2026\/08\/07\/spring-2026-february-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring 2026: February Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Note from the Editor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re four weeks into the semester, which means you\u2019ve already made it through the hardest part of getting started.\u00a0This month\u2019s newsletter highlights several upcoming events and opportunities we encourage you to attend and apply for. These programs are great ways to get involved, build skills, and make meaningful connections. Keep pushing forward and take advantage of what\u2019s ahead!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Upcoming Departmental Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are events our department is hosting in the near future, so keep an eye out!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sweet Research Series<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Jeremy Strickler with Dr. Lucy Schultz<\/span> (PHIL & EVST)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February 9th \u2013 MCB 268 \u2013 11am<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Camping and the Public Good”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drs. Schultz and Strickler will discuss their forthcoming chapter, “Camping and the Public Good,” included in the volume Camping and Philosophy: Big Ideas in the Great Outdoors (Milestone Press). Their work brings together the philosopher John Dewey’s ideas about democracy and education with an overview of the development of recreational camping and public parks in the U.S. They argue that camping in publicly maintained campgrounds aids in the formation of the “public” in Dewey’s sense, which may promote civic engagement and the cultivation of environmental values. Pizza and donuts will be provided!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March 9th: Dr. Sarah Heise
April 13th: Dr. Trevor Samaha
April 20th: Dr. Michelle Deardorff<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Protest, Repression, and Human Rights in Iran: What the Current Uprisings Reveal About the Regime\u2019s Future<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

February 25th – Derthick 201 – 12pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Saeid Golkar<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The talk examines recurring waves of protest in Iran and the state\u2019s systematic response to popular dissent. Focusing on repression, surveillance, mass arrests, and human rights violations, it explores how the Iranian regime manages unrest and why protests persist despite intense coercion. Rather than predicting immediate regime change, the discussion offers a historically grounded analysis of what sustained protest and repression reveal about the structure, fears, and limits of authoritarian rule in Iran today.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Faculty Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our faculty are not only dedicated to providing a world-class education to our students, but are also committed to their own research projects, workshops, journals, and more!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Irina Khmelko<\/h2>

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Dr. Irina Khmelko, UC Foundation Professor of Political Science and Public Service, has been re-elected by an international community of scholars to serve as Chair of the Research Committee of Legislative Specialists (RC08) of the International Political Science Association (IPSA).

The Committee is internationally recognized for producing agenda-setting scholarship on legislatures, shaping the global research agenda in comparative legislative studies, and engaging with policymakers and the international development community. Under Dr. Khmelko\u2019s continued leadership, the committee advances global scholarly collaboration, strengthens dialogue between academics and practitioners, and promotes research with clear societal and policy relevance.

Dr. Khmelko\u2019s re-election underscores her strong international standing in the field and highlights the growing global visibility and impact of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Political Science research and international academic leadership.<\/p><\/div>