Kelly Grenier is a fourth-year student in the University of Kentucky's political science PhD program. Having completed a master's degree at Aberystwyth University, an institution renowned for its approach to human security, she is expanding her knowledge base by studying the subfields of comparative and American politics here at UK. Her dissertation, focused in the Americas, asks "why do regimes censor culture?" and explores this question in both autocratic and democratic settings using both qualitative and quantitative methods. She has presented her work at local, regional, and national conferences. 

Motivated by her belief that collegiate education should not be limited to those who can both afford and access it, Grenier worked as a student success coach and an adjunct instructor of political science at two rural community colleges before joining her cohort at UK. She brings her love of teaching to her current work as a teaching assistant for the department. Teaching both in-person and online, Grenier has taught Intro to American Government, Intro to Comparative Politics, Intro to Political Analysis, and Political Arts and Censorship Around the World. Additionally, she has assisted with the Political Science Internship Program and designed a personal development course as part of the Kentucky Legislative Internship Program to assist the interns in their experiential learning. Taking advantage of the opportunities at UK to further develop as an instructor, Grenier has pursued and obtained the 12-credit hour Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning. Integrating arts and politics in her classroom, her interdisciplinary approach to teaching has been awarded the Provost's Award for Outstanding Teaching, College of Arts & Science's Certificate for Outstanding Teaching, and Graduate School's GradTeach Live!: Teaching Philosophy in Practice Award. 

For further information, see her website and CV.