Dr. Terri Towner

Welcome to my professional website

I am a Professor of Political Science at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. In 2007, I received my Ph.D. in Political Science from Purdue University. I study American Politics, specializing in public opinion, elections, voting behavior, and quantitative methodology. Presently, my specific research lines include investigating the role of social media, particularly Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, in campaigns and elections. I have authored several articles and book chapters on subjects including how digital images influence citizens as well as the agenda-setting relationship between Instagram and mainstream media. To learn more about my research, see my CV and Research.

I teach a wide variety of courses at Oakland University, including Introduction to American Politics, Public Opinion, Elections and Voting Behavior, Research Methods and Statistics, and Politics and the Internet. The latter course examines issues involving privacy, digital democracy, misinformation, media literacy, blog power and social media in campaigning. The course draws on cutting-edge research in multiple disciplines, including political science, communications, psychology, and computer technology.  

I am also pleased to serve as Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Information Technology and Politics. The JITP examines how information technology influences politics and government, how politics and government influence the development and use of IT, and how IT can be used to advance research and education.  I previously served as the chair of the Information Technology and Politics section of the American Political Science Association. 

From 2024-2026, I am serving as the President of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Honorary. Before this role, I was a Pi Sigma Alpha National Executive Council and Council member. I was also Oakland University's Pi Sigma Alpha's Chapter Advisor and the Faculty Editor of the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics.