Marika Landau-Wells

Research Bio

Marika Landau-Wells' research is broadly concerned with the effects of cognitive processes – including perception, attention, concept formation, learning, and memory – on political behavior.  Specifically, she focuses on understanding: (1) national security decision-making; and (2) the beliefs ordinary citizens hold about contentious public policies (e.g., immigration policy, climate change policy) and how those beliefs change.  Landau-Wells adopts an interdisciplinary approach to research by incorporating insights and tools from cognitive science, and neuroscience in particular. 

Research Expertise and Interest

political psychology, conflict, national security, public opinion, foreign policy

In the News

Shock, insecurity and endless war: How 9/11 changed America and the world

For tens of millions of Americans alive on Sept. 11, 2001, the images are indelible: Flames exploding from a tower of the World Trade Center against a brilliant blue sky. In the shock that followed those terror attacks, it was common to imagine that the world had changed forever. Just how, exactly, no one could know. Twenty years later, after so many other turns of history, the ragged withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan is a reminder of how the nation has struggled to answer the attacks.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring

  • Special Study for Honors Candidates  [COGSCI H195]  

  • Junior Seminar  [POLSCI 191]  

  • Research Workshop in International Relations  [POLSCI 291IR]  

  • Directed Advanced Study  [POLSCI 292]  

  • Directed Dissertation Research  [POLSCI 296]  

  • Professional Preparation for Graduate Student Instructors.  [POLSCI 398]  

  • Supervised Research: Social Sciences  [UGIS 192B]  

2025 Fall

  • Special Study for Honors Candidates  [COGSCI H195]  

  • Research Workshop in International Relations  [POLSCI 291IR]  

  • Directed Advanced Study  [POLSCI 292]  

  • Directed Dissertation Research  [POLSCI 296]  

  • Professional Preparation for Graduate Student Instructors.  [POLSCI 398]  

  • Supervised Research: Social Sciences  [UGIS 192B]  

2025 Spring

  • Special Study for Honors Candidates  [COGSCI H195]  

  • Special Topics in International Relations  [POLSCI 123L]  

  • Selected Topics in Political Behavior  [POLSCI 269]  

  • Research Workshop in International Relations  [POLSCI 291IR]  

  • Directed Advanced Study  [POLSCI 292]  

  • Directed Dissertation Research  [POLSCI 296]  

  • Professional Preparation for Graduate Student Instructors.  [POLSCI 398]  

  • Supervised Research: Social Sciences  [UGIS 192B]