Brian Fife is professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Lehigh
University. He joined the department in 2018 after serving as chair of the Department of
Public Policy at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (now Purdue University
Fort Wayne). He earned a doctorate and a master’s degree in political science at the
State University of New York at Binghamton and a bachelor’s degree in political science
from the University of Maine. His research focuses on education policy, electoral reform,
and the challenges of poverty in America.
Professor Fife has published 8 books as well as numerous articles, book chapters, and
instructional textbooks. His research books include the following: Citizenship in the
American Republic (2021); Winning the War on Poverty: Applying the Lessons of History
to the Present (2018); Old School Still Matters: Lessons from History to Reform Public
Education in America (2013); Reforming the Electoral Process in America: Toward More
Democracy in the 21st Century (2010); Political Culture and Voting Systems in the United
States: An Examination of the 2000 Presidential Election (2002); Higher Education in
Transition: The Challenges of the New Millennium (2000); School Desegregation in the
Twenty-First Century: The Focus Must Change (1997); and Desegregation in American
Schools: Comparative Intervention Strategies (1992).
Recent published articles include the following:
“Asa Packer: A Glimpse of the Man Who Founded Lehigh University” (American
Educational History Journal) https://polisci.cas.lehigh.edu/news/dr-brian-fife-
published-article-american-educational-history-journal-asa-packer-glimpse-man-
who.
“Civic Education in the Academy” (Education Reform Journal)
He has taught a wide variety of courses in American politics and public policy. He is
married to Melissa, and they have two grown children, Sam and Jack, and a daughter-in-
law, Rachel.
