The Ohio State University Political Science Department is proud to announce that Professor Melinda Ritchie has been awarded the highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. This prestigious award is a testament to Professor Ritchie's exceptional contributions to the field of political science and her dedication to advancing democratic governance, representation, and accountability.

The NSF CAREER Award is one of the most esteemed honors given to early-career faculty who exemplify excellence in both research and education. Professor Ritchie's project, titled "Preserving Democratic Governance, Representation, and Accountability Within an Evolving Policymaking Environment," aims to strengthen the relationship between citizens and their governing institutions. Her research will focus on how legislators interact with federal agencies to influence policy and represent their constituencies outside of their formal legislative functions.

Professor Ritchie joined the Ohio State University Political Science Department in 2019 and has since been recognized for her innovative research and commitment to teaching. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, including the top 3 ranked journals, the American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Politics, as well as the leading subfield journal, Legislative Studies Quarterly. 

The NSF CAREER Award will provide Professor Ritchie with $541,475 in funding over five years to support her research and teaching initiatives. This award not only highlights her outstanding achievements but also underscores the importance of her work in promoting democratic governance and accountability.

Congratulations to Professor Melinda Ritchie on this remarkable accomplishment!