Allyson Yankle holds a Ph.D. and Masters in Political Science from the University
of Connecticut and a B.A. in political science, international studies, and history
from St. Norbert College. Her research broadly focuses on questions of judicial politics
and behavior both in the American and comparative contexts. Of particular interest
is how courts and judges operate in different institutional contexts, judicial goals
and motivations, and ultimately issues of judicial legitimacy. Her research agenda
currently includes qualitatively applying theories of judicial bargaining on the U.S.
Supreme Court to understand the expression of legal goals in majority opinions; examining
judicial ethics and judicial conduct commissions, including the relationship between
judicial ethics offenses and judicial discipline, how the media covers ethics violations,
and the electoral implications following judicial misconduct; and, finally, considering
decision-making and compliance mechanisms at the European Court of Human Rights.
At Radford, Yankle teaches courses in the Law and Politics concentration, such as
Constitutional Law: Government and Powers, Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties, Judicial
Process, and Law, Justice, and Public Policy. In her teaching, her goal is to help
students not only understand the material from the class, but to create connections
beyond the classroom and the skills to be successful in their academic careers. She
emphasizes active learning methods, group activities, and simulations as well as integrating
undergraduate research in her courses to foster students’ critical learning and skill
development. Yankle also serves as advisor for the Pre-Law Society.