Jon Ruff
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Biography
I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science in the School of American and Global Studies, and the Coordinator for the Mike Huether Public Service Academy - creating opportunities for students to thrive in cross-sectional leadership with the public. I teach Introduction to American Government, American Civics, State and Local Government, Public Administration, and the Political Science Capstone.
I earned my Ph.D. in Public Policy from Oregon State University and my research focuses on how stories shape bureaucratic responsibilities in government, particularly on US Space and Defense policy. Along the way, I've applied my academic experiences to real-world governance - working with NASA Headquarters History on commercial Space Policy and Oregon's Metro Regional Government on continuous improvement of legislative and executive processes.
Whether I'm researching or teaching, I'm driven by curiosity and a belief that even the most overlooked policy issues deserve attention and creativity.
I earned my Ph.D. in Public Policy from Oregon State University and my research focuses on how stories shape bureaucratic responsibilities in government, particularly on US Space and Defense policy. Along the way, I've applied my academic experiences to real-world governance - working with NASA Headquarters History on commercial Space Policy and Oregon's Metro Regional Government on continuous improvement of legislative and executive processes.
Whether I'm researching or teaching, I'm driven by curiosity and a belief that even the most overlooked policy issues deserve attention and creativity.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in public policy, science and technology policy | Oregon State University | 2023
- Master’s of Public Administration | Montana State University | 2017
- B.s. in psychology | Colorado State University | 2013
Academic and Professional Experience
Academic Interests
- Policy Processes
- US Aerospace policy
- Interest group influence
- Subgovernmental politics and policymaking
- Defense and conflict studies
Academic Responsibilities
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Coordinator, Mike Huether Public Service Academy
Committees and Professional Memberships
- Midwest Political Science Association
- International Public Policy Association
Research and Scholarly Work
Grants
Open Educational Resources Grant - South Dakota State University, 2026
Publications
- Ruff, J.W.A. (2025) . Policy Studies Journal. DOI: 10.1111/psj.70066
- Ruff, J.W.A., Stelmach, G. and Jones, M.D. (2022). . Policy Sciences, 55(3), 509–553. DOI: 10.1007/s11077-022-09455-5
Associated Areas
