Emily Sydnor

Emily Sydnor is an associate professor at the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship in Washington, D.C. She leads multidisciplinary research efforts to analyze the forces that damage trust in journalism and democracy, to strengthen the ability of journalists and others to rebuild credibility, along with teaching classes in these areas. 

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Sydnor was an associate professor at Southwestern University from 2022-24 where she taught political science. In addition, she served as both an assistant professor and visiting assistant professor at Southwestern from 2015-22. 

Sydnor’s research focuses on incivility in the media, its interaction with individual psychological traits and its influence on political behavior. She has authored a book “Disrespectful Democracy: The Psychology of Political Incivility” (Columbia University Press, 2019), numerous peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters. 

Her research has been supported by the American Political Science Association Centennial Center Research Grant (2021-22); the American Political Science Association Special Projects Grant: Civically Engaged Research in Political Science (2020-22); and the National Institute for Civil Discourse Seed Grant (2017). 

Professor Sydnor received the 2020 Craig L. Brians Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research & Mentorship from the American Political Science Association. She also won the Jesse E. Purdy Award for Excellence in Scholarly & Creative Works in 2020 and the Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2019, both from Southwestern University. 

Sydnor earned a Ph.D. in 2015 and an M.A. in 2011 from the University of Virginia; she also earned a B.A. in 2008 from George Washington University.