Current position:

Department of Government, Colby College, 1971-present

William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Government, 1993-present

Earlier positions:

Visiting Professor of Political Science, Stanford University, 2013; 1993-94

Fulbright Distinguished Chair in American Studies, PUC--Rio de Janeiro, 2012

Director, Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, 2003-2012

Charles A. Dana Professor of American Democratic Institutions, 1989-93

Professor, 1983-1989; Associate Professor, 1979-83; Assistant Professor, 1971-79

Maine Professor of the Year, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, 1989

Chair, 1982-1987; 1989-1992; 1994-1998; 2000-2005; Acting Chair, 1979-80

Chair, Social Science Division, 1984-1987

John Adams Fellow, Institute for United States Studies, University of London, 2002

Guest Scholar, The Brookings Institution, 1999
Philippine Centennial Distinguished Fulbright Lecturer, 1998

Visiting Professor of Government, Harvard University, 1987-88

Task Force Director, Task Force on Work Management, Commission on Administration Review of the House of Representatives (Obey Commission), 1977

Visiting Lecturer in Politics, University of Melbourne and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 1975

Instructor in Government, Barnard College, 1969-70

Research Grants:

•Pew Charitable Trusts, Evaluation of Grants in the Area of Improving the Conduct of Campaigns, 2002-2003, $580,000
•Carnegie Corporation Grant for the Candidate Emergence Study through 2003, $250,000
•Smith Richardson Foundation Grant for Extension of Candidate Emergence Study through 2001, $135,000
•NSF Grant (SBER95-15332) “Collaborative Research on Congressional Candidate Emergence”; $175,000 grant to conduct research on the decision making by potential candidates for Congress, 1996-1999
•NSF Grant (SES85-21150) for Colby Conference on Congressional Candidate Selection, Summer 1986

Books

Running on Empty: Political Discourse in Congressional Elections
edited by L. Sandy Maisel and Darrell M. West, Campaigning American Style, Rowman & Littlefield.

The level of discourse in campaigns and elections ideally should elevate citizens; knowledge about the candidates and the issues that face the polity. But elections today are often beset by negative campaigns and an emphasis on the 'horse race' over issues of substance. Running on Empty? looks at sixteen carefully selected, highly competitive races in tthe House and Senate during the 2002 midtern elections.

Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process
L. Sandy Maisel and Kara Z. Buckley, Rowman & Littlefield, 1987; Second Edition, 1993; Third Edition, 1999; Updated Election Edition, 2001.

"Sandy Maisel's Parties and Elections in America draws on the author's active political involvement, the lessons he has learned as an effective teacher, and his comprehensive knowledge of political science research. The result is a text that is not only authoritative but also engaging, introducing students to the excitement and challenge of politics." ---- David Price

Jews in Ameican Politics
edited by L. Sandy Maisel and Ira N. Forman, Rowman & Littlefield. , 2001.

The editors and authors inthis book summarize the long history of Jewish participation in the historic experiment that is American democracy. Just as I was inspired to enter politics by the examples of those who came before me...I hope this volume will help inspire a new generation of American Jews (and for that matter non-Jews) to dedicate themselves to public life and public office. -----from the introduction by Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.)

Two Parties -- Or More? The American Party System
John F. Bibby and L. Sandy Maisel, 1998; Second Edition, Westview, 2002. Amazon

In a concise and well-written book, bibby and Maisel have once again demonstated why they are tow of the leading scholars on the American political party system. This book will challenge its readers to think more deeply about the value of and challenges to the two-party system in the United States. It is a valued addition to the literature inthe field. ----Alan R. Gitelson, Loyola University, Chicago

The Parties Respond: Changes in the American Party System
(editor) 1990; Second Edition, 1994; Third Edition, 1998; Fourth Edition, 2002, Westview. Amazon
Parties and Politics in the American Past (Co-editor) (1994)

Maisel continues to be the gold standard for interpretation of American political parties. Spanning time from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries, and canvassing the range of U.S. politics, this volume comprises original and provocative essays by leading scholars. It is an excellent source for teaching, for discussion and just plain thinking. ---Gerry Pomper, Rutgers University.

Parties and Politics in the American Past (Co-editor) (1994)

Rethinking Political Reform: Beyond Spending and Term Limits (Co-editor) (1994)

Encyclopedia of American Political Parties and Elections (general editor) (1991)

From Obscurity to Oblivion: Running in the Congressional Primary (1982; Rev. Edition 1986)

Congressional Elections (Co-editor) (1981)

Political Parties: Development and Decay (Co-editor) (1978)

The Impact of the Electoral Process (Co-editor) (1977)

Changing Campaign Techniques: Elections and Values in Contemporary Democracies (editor) (1976)

The Future of Political Parties (Co-editor) (1975)

Published Articles

•"Promises and Persusasin: The Twin Dilemmas of Candidate Ethics," in Candice Nelson et al. (eds.), Shades of Gray: Perspectives on Campaign Ethics ( 2002)
•"Election Laws, Judicial Rulings, Party Rules and Practices: Steps Toward--and Away From--a Stronger Party Role," in John Green and Paul Herrnson (eds)., Searching for Responsibility: Political Parties and American Politics: 1950-2000 (2002)
•"The Party Role in Congressional Competition," in L. Sandy Maisel (ed.)., The Parties Respond, 4th edition ( 2002)
•”American Political Parties: Still Central to a Functioning Democracy?” in Cohen, Fleisher, and Kantor (eds.), American Political Parties: Decline or Resurgence? ( 2001)
•“Primary Elections as a Deterrence to Candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives,” in Galderisi, Ezra, and Lyons (eds.), Congressional Primaries and the Politics of Representation ( 2001) (co-author)
•“Quality Challengers to Congressional Incumbents: Can Better Candidates Be Found?” in Paul S. Herrnson, ed., Hardball Politics ( 2001) (co-author)

Please consult Prof. Maisel's CV for a full publication listing.