Dr. James King

Academic Areas of Expertise:

American government and politics

Curriculum Vitae

Biography:

Jim King joined the UW political science faculty in 1992 and previously taught at the University of Memphis.  In 2020 he was a Fulbright Scholar at Flinders University in South Australia.  In addition to “American and Wyoming Government,” he regularly offers elective classes on American politics, including “U.S.  Presidency,” “Seminar in American Political Institutions,” and “Seminar in Elections & Law.”  During election years he frequently is interviewed by national and state media outlets about Wyoming politics.

Jim’s interest in American politics extends from the classroom to his research, which focuses on various aspects of the presidency and elections.  Current research focuses on preferential voting as an election reform in the United States, transitions between presidential administrations, and presidents’ choices and organization of advisors.  He is a co-author of The Equality State: Government and Politics in Wyoming, and the author/co-author of numerous articles in political science journals and chapters in anthologies.

In 2019 Jim received the George Duke Humphrey Distinguished Faculty Award, UW’s highest faculty recognition.  Previous UW awards include the College of Arts and Sciences’ Exemplary Faculty Award, Promoting Intellectual Engagement in the First Year (PIE) Award, “Top Prof” Award of the University of Wyoming Mortar Board Society, and A&S Extraordinary Merit for Research.  Jim is a past-president of the Southwestern Political Science Association and has held leadership positions in other professional associations.

Fun Facts About Jim:

A native of Michigan, he is married to Barbara Azaria King and has two sons, Alex and Justin. Recreation activities vary with the seasons and include golf, cycling, hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.