University of Oxford’s Gradel Institute of Charity has named Samantha Zuhlke, assistant professor in the School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA), as a visiting researcher.

Zuhlke’s research at the institute will examine how partisan politics shape the nonprofit sector in the United States. Her fellowship will primarily take place in Iowa and will include a workshop at Oxford alongside other visiting researchers.

“I am excited to join this community of scholars and continue advancing our understanding of nonprofits in the United States,” Zuhlke said.

The project builds on Zuhlke’s broader research examining how individuals relate to government institutions and nonprofit organizations, particularly in the wake of government failure.

The Gradel Institute of Charity focuses on advancing understanding of nonprofits and charitable organizations and their role in addressing public needs. By bringing together global experts in the field, the institute seeks to strengthen the governance and leadership of charities and improve their effectiveness. Previous visiting researchers have studied topics including charity management, volunteering, government contracts, and the effects of commercialization on the nonprofit sector.

More information about Zuhlke is available on the SPPA website.