Dr. Daniel J. Simmons

Professor Simmons studies how people form opinions, attitudes, and behaviors about controversial events/topics. His research uses survey experiments to examine how public opinion and preferences can be influenced and empowered. Past research has explored how controversial policing affects the U.S. public’s opinion of the police and local government, as well as the U.S. public’s attitudes towards policing policy. His research is published in outlets including the Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, Journal of Elections, Public Opinion, & Parties, Journal of Health Politics, Policy, & Law, Social Science Quarterly, PLoS ONE, and The Washington Post. Before coming to UWEC in 2023, Professor Simmons taught at Saint Michael's College. Professor Simmons teaches courses on topics including U.S. politics, political psychology, and constitutional law.