Abigail Hemmen

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Duquesne University. I study political representation, elite behavior, and public attitudes. I am particularly interested in how these concepts interact with social media, controversial speech, and state politics. My work has been published in outlets such as the British Journal of Political Science, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and State Politics & Policy Quarterly.

Broadly, I am interested in the way technology has changed our political environment, social norms, and daily lives.

In my dissertation, Online Style, I explore how social media has impacted the relationship between state legislators and their constituents. What encourages (or discourages) legislators to have an online presence? Are there advantages to those who post? How do their constituents react to their social media posts? I use observational and experimental data to answer these questions. 

I have projects in progress regarding the effects of social media on the public's political outlooks, the perceptions of universities as political venues, and Americans' beliefs regarding political compromise. 

I received my PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2026, and have been affiliated with the Representation and Politics in Legislatures and Politics, Organizations, and Psychology Labs.