Pauline Jones Appointed Next Director of the Center for Political Studies
August 6, 2025
We are pleased to announce that Professor Pauline Jones has been named the next Director of the Center for Political Studies (CPS) at the Institute for Social Research.
Jones is a Research Professor in CPS, a Professor of Political Science, and she holds the Edie N. Goldenberg Endowed Director position for the Michigan in Washington Program. She is also the Founder and Director of the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum (DISC). Pauline brings a wealth of leadership experience, having previously served as Director of UM’s Islamic Studies Program (2011-2014) and the International Institute (2014-2020). Her record of scholarship and administrative expertise will be a great asset to CPS as she employs her vision for the center.
Professor Jones will officially assume the directorship following her 2025–2026 academic-year sabbatical, during which she will serve as a Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University.
During this interim period, Professor Mike Traugott will serve as Interim Director of CPS, from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. Traugott brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Director of CPS (2014–2015) and held multiple leadership positions at the Institute for Social Research (ISR). We are grateful for his willingness to lead CPS during this important transition.