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Michael Thompson-Brusstar
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Phone: (860) 297-2265 Office Location: Downes Memorial 204
Send e-mail to Michael Thompson-Brusstar Personal web page
Trinity College faculty member since 2025
General ProfileTeachingResearchPublications/PresentationsHonors/Awards
Degrees:
Ph.D., Univ. of Michigan
M.A., Univ. of Michigan
B.A., Juniata College

Michael Thompson-Brusstar's research and teaching interests are the politics of bureaucracy, authoritarianism, and development, especially in China and martial-law Taiwan. He previously served as Postdoctoral Scholar at the 21st Century China Center of the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. He received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan, where he also received a Masters degree in Chinese Studies. His current projects focus on the politics of personnel management, the global flow of ideas about administrative reform, and development of methods to bring contemporary social scientists to historical materials. His classes focus on developing the skills and background necessary for the analysis of politics both contemporary and historical. In the classroom, he emphasizes interdisciplinary connections, active learning, and student participation in research.