I joined the University of Kentucky faculty in 2015, after receiving my Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan, where I studied American political institutions, political behavior, and methodology.  At UK, my research focuses on law and courts and political behavior.

My book, The Limits of Legitimacy (2015), explores public support for high profile Supreme Court rulings.  Drawing on a detailed case study, content analysis of 30 years of media coverage, and a series of survey experiments, I demonstrate how division amongst the justices limits support for rulings.   The book was selected as an "Exemplary Law Book of 2015" by the Green Bag Almanac and Reader.  My second book, The Rights Paradox, is forthcoming with Cambridge University Press.  My articles have been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and law reviews. Some of my other ongoing work includes collobrative research with Justin Wedeking that has been funded by the National Science Foundation.

At Kentucky, I teach a variety of courses in American politics.  I emphasize heavily student engagement and utilize both single period and multiple-week simulations in my courses.  In 2019, I won the Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Arts & Sciences and was a finalist for the Provost's Award for Outstanding Teaching at the University.

For more information about my research and background, please visit my website: http://www.michaelzilis.com