Geoboo Song, associate professor of political science, public policy, and statistics and analytics at the University of Arkansas, has been named the co-editor-in-chief of the Policy Studies Journal, the leading journal on public policy theory. 

The Policy Studies Journal (PSJ) is an international journal that works to develop and refine public policy theory, addressing a wide range of public policy issues at all levels of government. Song has worked as an associate editor at the journal since 2019 and will now co-edit PSJ with Michael D. Jones of the University of Tennessee. 

“I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of the remarkable work going on at PSJ,” Song said. “Seeing the phenomenal accomplishment already made here is inspiring, and I am excited to keep contributing. This is an opportunity that I take joy in because it grants me the chance to develop alongside other policy scholars who share such vision, passion, and commitment as myself.”

“The support from the University of Arkansas community has been instrumental in ensuring PSJ stays as one of the top-performing policy journals out there,” he added. “With utmost gratitude, I extend sincere appreciation to my colleagues and students at the University of Arkansas for their invaluable guidance throughout this journey.”

Song’s research interests focus on variations in individuals’ perceptions of policy problems, their policy preferences, and their behavior under certain policy arrangements within highly contentious and controversial domains. His work has been published in PSJ, alongside other prominent journals such as Risk Analysis, Political Psychology, Energy Policy, and Social Science Quarterly. He regularly teaches graduate courses in policy theories, politics of risk, research methods and data analytics, and David Weimer-style policy analysis.

“What is especially exciting about Dr. Song’s appointment is the fact that the work currently being published in PSJ is having a profound impact in the area of policy theory,” said William Schreckhise, Chair of the Department of Political Science. “As the co-editor, he will play a significant role in the development of this area of very important scholarship.”  

“It is gratifying to see Dr. Song’s outstanding work rewarded in this fashion,” said Brinck Kerr, Director of the Interdisciplinary Public Policy Ph.D. Program. “His appointment will benefit students and faculty from many units at the U of A, including the Department of Political Science, the Public Policy Ph.D. Program, and the Graduate School and International Education.”

Song holds a bachelor’s degree from Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea, a master’s degree from Korea University in Seoul, a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.