Travis Nelson
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Department of Social Sciences
138 Gardner Hall; 1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818-3099
Email: nelsontra@uwplatt.edu
Phone: 802-881-3338
Academic Positions
Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Platteville (2010-present)
Assistant Professor, University of Vermont (2006-2010)
Education
Ph.D. Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006)
Primary Field: International Relations (high pass)
Secondary Field: Political Theory (high pass)
Dissertation: From the Barrel of a Gun: A Regional and Normative Analysis of Regime Intervention,
1815-2001
Dissertation Committee: Michael Barnett (chair), Jon Pevehouse, David Lehany, Helen
Kinsella
M.A. Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2001)
B.A. Summa Cum Laude Political Science, Saint Olaf College (1999)
Peer-Reviewed Publications
“Charmed by China? Popular Perceptions of Chinese Influence.” (co-authored with Matthew
Carlson). Japanese Journal of Political Science. 13:4 (2012). 477-499.
“Determinants of Disaster Aid: Donor Interest or Recipient Need?” Global Change, Peace &
Security. 24:1 (2012). 109-126.
“Not Just a Game? Power, Protest, and the Olympic Games.” (co-authored with Patrick
Cottrell). European Journal of International Relations. 17:4 (2011). 729-753.
“When Disaster Strikes: On the Relationship between Natural Disaster and Interstate Conflict.”
Global Change, Peace & Security. 22:2 (2010). 155-176.
"Rejecting the Gift Horse: International Politics of Disaster Aid Refusal.” Conflict, Security, and
Development. 10:3 (2010). 379-402.
“Why Justify? Explaining Variation in Conflict Justification, 1980-2008.” Democracy and Security
6:2 (2010). 128-146.
“Anti-Americanism in Asia? Factors Shaping International Perceptions of American Influence.”
(co-authored with Matthew Carlson). International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 8:3 (2008). 303-324.
“The Purpose of Regime Intervention, 1815-2001,” Contemporary Security Policy 28:3 (2007). 444463.
Other Publications
“A Global Security Triangle” [book review]. Democracy and Security 7 (2011). 72-73.
“The Great American Mission: Modernization and the Construction of an American World
Order” [book review]. Political Science Quarterly 125:3 (2010). 544-545.
Working Papers
“Agreeing to Disagree: Deliberative Democracy and the Justifications of War.” (co-authored
with Daniel Kapust). Under Review at European Journal of International Relations.
“Sport without Referees? The International Olympic Committee, FIFA, and the Politics of
Accountability.” (co-authored with Patrick Cottrell).
“’Profound Shock and Heartfelt Sympathy’: On Evolving Attitudes Toward Foreign Natural
Disaster”
Conference and Other Presentations
“Can Earthquakes Build Bridges? The Effects of Natural Disaster on Regime Criticism.” Annual
meeting of the International Studies Association. March 2012.
“Occupy Wall Street Debate.” UW-Platteville Student Senate. November 2011.
“The Israel/Palestine Question.” UW-Platteville Social Sciences Department and Students for
Peace and Justice. October 2011.
“War in Libya?” Students for Peace and Justice and the Department of Social Sciences,
University of Wisconsin-Platteville. March 2011.
“Corn as Fuel: A Panel Discussion.” Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor, University of
Wisconsin-Platteville. March 2011.
“Sport without Referees? The International Olympic Committee, FIFA, and the Politics of
Accountability.” (co-authored with Patrick Cottrell). Annual meeting of the International Studies
Association. March 2011.
“Egypt and the Uprisings in the Arab World.” Students for Peace and Justice and the
Department of Social Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Platteville. February 2011.
"Agreeing to Disagree: Deliberative Democracy and the Justifications for War.” (co-authored
with Daniel Kapust). Annual meeting of the Northeast Political Science Association. November
2010.
"Agreeing to Disagree: Deliberative Democracy and the Justifications for War.” (co-authored
with Daniel Kapust). Annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association. April 2010.
"The Politics and Humanitarianism of Disaster Aid Provision.” Annual meeting of the Midwest
Political Science Association. April 2010.
“China and Its Neighbors: Explaining Individual Perceptions of Chinese Influence.” (coauthored with Matthew Carlson). Annual meeting of the International Studies Association.
February 2010.
“The Effects of Natural Disaster on Interstate Conflict.” Annual meeting of the Midwest
Political Science Association. April 2009.
“Not Just a Game? Sport, Protest, and International Politics.” (co-authored with Patrick
Cottrell). Annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association. April 2009.
“International Politics of Disaster Aid Refusal.” Annual meeting of the Midwest Political
Science Association. April 2008.
“Rejecting the Gift Horse: The International Politics of Disaster Aid Refusal.” Area and
International Studies Lecture Series, University of Vermont. October 2007.
“The Utility of Justificatory Analysis in International Relations Research.” Annual meeting of the
Midwest Political Science Association. April 2006.
“Justificatory Change and Normative Evolution in the Practice of Regime Intervention.” Annual
meeting of the International Studies Association-West. October 2005.
“State Intervention and Regime Change: Intent of Initiation (1815-2001).” Annual meeting of
the Midwest Political Science Association. April 2005.
“Explaining Empirical Continuity and Justificatory Change in Forcible Institutional Promotion.”
Madison International Relations Association. March 2004.
Instructional Experience
University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Assistant Professor)
Introduction to Politics
International Relations
International Security
Politics of the Global Economy
University of Vermont (Assistant Professor)
Introduction to International Relations
International Security
International Human Rights
International Cooperation in the 21st Century?
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Teaching Assistant)
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to American Politics
Quantitative Analysis of Political Data
Introduction to Political Theory
Alliances & International Politics
Honors and Awards
UW-Platteville Supportive Staff Recognition, 2012
UW-Madison College of Letters and Science Teaching Fellow, 2005
UW-Madison Graduate Student Mentor Award, 2005
University Dissertator Fellowship, department nominee, 2004
UW-Madison Exceptional Service Award, department nominee, 2004
Comm-B [Writing] Teaching Fellow, 2003
International Relations & Political Theory Preliminary Examinations, “High Pass,” 2003
Department of Political Science Teaching Award, 2002
UW-Madison University Fellowship, 2000
Phi Beta Kappa, Saint Olaf College, 1999
Professional Service
Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Politics.
Co-organizer, International Relations section of the annual meeting of the Northeastern Political
Science Association. 2010.
Chair, “Terrorism and Insurgency.” Annual meeting of the Northeastern Political Science
Association. November 2010.
Discussant, “Civil War and Peace.” Annual meeting of the Northeastern Political Science
Association. November 2009.
Discussant & Chair, “New and Critical Approaches to IR.” Annual meeting of the Northeastern
Political Science Association. November 2009.
Chair, “Causes of War.” Annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association. April
2009.
Discussant & Chair, “Managing Civil Wars.” Annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science
Association. April 2008.