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Michelle Payne

Michelle Payne, Professor of Political Science at Texas Wesleyan University

Michelle Payne

Associate Professor of Political Science, Coordinator of Government and Legal Studies (Political Science and Paralegal Studies)
Polytechnic United Methodist Church 235

Education

  • Ph.D., Political Science, the University of Texas at Dallas (2005-2013)
  • M.A. Political Science, the University of Texas at Dallas (2005-2013)
  • Ph.D. studies, University of North Texas (2001-2003)
  • JD, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (1999)
  • M.Ed., Texas Wesleyan University (1997)
  • B.S., Texas Wesleyan University (1996)

Research Interests

Professor Payne's research focuses on Judicial Politics and Judicial Independence, Government & Institutions, Public Policy, Civil Liberties & Rights and Constitutional Law.

Teaching Areas

  • Courts and Public Law
  • Public Policy and Elections
  • Ethics and the Law
  • Civil Liberties, Civil Rights
  • Appellate, Moot Court & Mediation Practices
Publications & Presentations
  • APSA (American Political Science Association) conference, San Francisco, fall 2015
  • NACADA (National Academy of Academic Advisors) conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, fall 2015
  • SWAPLA (Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors), conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, fall 2015
  • Education Law Association conference, Fort Worth, Tx. spring 2015
  • SWAPLA (Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors), conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2014
  • Southwest Political Science Association, conference, San Antonio, 2014 
  • Southwest Political Science Association, conference. Paper presentation, “Judicial Districts after Clements”; chair and panel discussant, New Orleans, 2013
  • SWAPLA (Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors), conference, San Antonio, 2013
  • Pre-Law Advisors National Council 6th Quadrennial Conference, Washington DC, 2012
  • Southwest Political Science Association, conference. Paper presentation, “Redistricting Texas Courts”; chair and panel discussant, San Diego, 2012
  • SWAPLA (Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors) annual law school caravan/forum, Fall 2006-present
  • Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors panel, or executive board presentation, Fall 2010 to present
  • PLANC (Pre-Law Advisors National Council) Notes, co-author “Pre-Law Labs- Using Competitions and Clinics in a Pre-Law Program”, 2011
  • Southwest Social Science Association, paper presentation with graduate students, 2009
  • Southern Political Science Association, paper presentation Spring 2009, “Reforming Texas State Judicial Seats, Redistricting and Reapportionment by the House”
  • Western Political Science Association, Judicial Politics session chair, 2008
  • Judicial Campaign Oversight Workshop attendee, 2008
  • Pre-Law Advisors National Conference, 5th Quadrennial Conference, Las Vegas, 2008
  • Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference, “Gender on the Bench”, paper presentation 2008
  • Western Political Science Association, “Luck be a Lady; Gender and Moot Court”, paper co-presentation, 2007
  • South West Association of Pre-Law Advisor Conference, 2006-present
  • Discussant, “Female Judges and Judicial Decision-Making”, Political Science Association Regional Conference, New Orleans, 2001
  • Assistant Editor, “The Lex”, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 1998
  • “A Look at Gender Bias in the American Public School System”, and “Islamic Fundamentalism and the Changing Role of Women in the Middle East”, paper
  • presentations, Regional Women’s Caucus, SWSSA, New Orleans 1997.
  • Special Feature Contributor, The Rambler, Texas Wesleyan University, 1996-1997
  • “Rings of Fire”, article on Middle East peace efforts, “Texas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations, Spring 1996.
  • Published personal essay, poetry, Aries, 1996; RiverSedge 1996.