Traugott, Mike

Research Professor, Center for Political Studies
Professor of Communication Studies

Biography

Michael Traugott is a political scientist who studies campaigns and elections, voting behavior, political communication, the use of polls to construct news, and survey methodology. He has published extensively in all of these areas. He is active in the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR), serving as president of both organizations. In 2010, he received the AAPOR Award for Exceptionally Distinguished Service. He also served as president of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR). He is a frequent resource for journalists interested in discussing American political campaigns and government operations. Traugott received his PhD in political science from the University of Michigan. His current research interests involve studies of the validity of survey responses, focused primarily on self-reported voting; and evaluations of polls used by journalists, specifically political polls. He is past president of the American Association for Public Opinion Research and the World Association for Public Opinion Research and has served as a consultant to several media organizations on their election coverage.