Janet Box-Steffensmeier, the Vernal Riffe Professor of Political Science and University Distinguished Scholar, has been appointed faculty representative to the Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee of the Ohio State Board of Trustees.

“I care deeply about Ohio State and consider it a privilege to be able to give back to the university that has given me the exciting intellectual environment and supportive mentoring throughout my career,” said Box-Steffensmeier.

Box-Steffensmeier joined the political science faculty at Ohio State in 1993. She is considered one of the leading scholars in the study of political behavior and political methodology, a field that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. She is director of the department’s Program in Statistics and Methodology (PRISM).

She has twice received the Gosnell Award for the best work in political methodology and the Emerging Scholar Award of the Elections, Public Opinion, and Voting Behavior Section of the American Political Science Association. She was an inaugural Fellow of the Society for Political Methodology (one of 21; one of only two women).

The Box-Steffensmeier Graduate Student Award, given annually by the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) is named after her in recognition of her contributions in political methodology and her support of women in this field.

Box-Steffensmeier served as president of the Midwest Political Science Association and the Political Methodology Society as well as treasurer of the American Political Science Association.