Dr. Melissa Schnyder

Full-Time Professor, Security and Global Studies
Dr. Melissa  Schnyder

Education

Ph.D. in Political Science
Indiana University Bloomington
B.A. in International Studies
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Research Interests

Dr. Schnyder's research broadly focuses on transnational and supranational political activity by non-state actors with a focus on the European Union (EU) and North America. In focusing on non-state actors, she primarily examines non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society actors working in human security policy areas, including forced displacement and migration, climate change and environmental sustainability, and food security or food sovereignty. Most of the existing research in this area tends to focus on only a single level of governance, and much of the existing scholarship consists of single case studies or limited comparative research. Her research aims to fill gaps in knowledge by studying the relationship between the domestic, transnational, and supranational/international levels, and the ways in which non-state actors simultaneously use each of these arenas to press their claims and influence the political process. Dr. Schnyder employs both quantitative and quantitative methodologies, including survey research, statistical analysis, content analysis, and in-person interviews. Her research takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining elements from international relations, social movement studies, and European Union studies. She has held visiting faculty and researcher positions at the University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels), and the German Marshall Fund of the United States Transatlantic Center in Brussels, Belgium. She was a Fulbright Fellow to the European Union, and has participated in transatlantic symposia. Her research has been published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Contemporary European Research, Journal of European Integration, Comparative European Politics, Social Movement Studies, Interface: A Journal for and about Social Movements, and includes books published by Roman and Littlefield International Press and Lexington Books. Dr. Schnyder earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Positions Held

2012 - Present
Rasmussen College
Adjunct Instructor
2015 - 2015
University of Kent's Brussels School of International Studies
Visiting Researcher
2010 - 2013
Independent Research and Statistical Consulting
Statistical Consultant
2006 - 2010
Corporate Executive Board
Associate Director of Quantitative Research
2005 - 2006
Institute for European Studies
Visiting Fulbright Fellow
2005 - 2006
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels), Vesalius College
Visiting Lecturer
2005 - 2005
The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Transatlantic Center
Research Associate

Intellectual Contributions

Global Norms in Local Contexts: Examining Cases of Environmental Governance in France

Melissa Schnyder
2023
Springer Nature

“Understanding Polycentrically Organized Movements: An Analysis of the Slow Food and Fair Trade Movements in Europe.”

Melissa Schnyder
2023
Journal of Civil Society

How Does a Security Frame Affect Support for Refugee Protection in France and Germany in the Aftermath of Europe’s Refugee Crisis?”

Melissa Schnyder
2021
Global Security and Intelligence Studies

Civil Society Advocacy to Address Statelessness: Using Norms to Promote Progress on the Global Action Plan to End Statelessness

Melissa Schnyder
2021
Manchester University Press

Examining Value-Based Framing of Agroecology by Experts in Training Centers in Belgium, France, and Spain

Melissa Schnyder
May 2021
Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems

Using Content Analysis to Research How Norms Are Strategically Used in Pro-Refugee Advocacy

Melissa Schnyder
2020
SAGE Publications Ltd.

Analyzing Norm-Based Advocacy Strategies to Address Asylum on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Europe

Melissa Schnyder
2020
Journal of Human Rights Practice

Advocating for Refugees in the European Union: Norm-based Strategies by Civil Society Organizations

Melissa Schnyder
May 2020
Lexington Books

Constructing a Sampling Frame for a Cross-National Internet Survey of Non-Governmental Organizations to Explore Cooperative Responses to Immigration Politics in Europe

Melissa Schnyder
2019
SAGE Publications Ltd

Norm-based Strategies for Political and Social Change: An Analysis of Migrant Justice Advocacy

Melissa Schnyder
June 2019
Social Alternatives

Book Review: Comte, Emmanuel, The History of the European Migration Regime: Germany's Strategic Hegemony. London: Routledge.

Melissa Schnyder
2018
International Affairs

Does Europeanization stick? National policies and sustained Europeanization strategies by domestic migrant and refugee organizations

Melissa Schnyder
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2018
Comparative European Politics

Book Review: King, Natasha, No Borders: The Politics of Immigration Control and Resistance. London: Zed Books.

Melissa Schnyder
October (4th Quarter/Autumn) 2017
Global Change, Peace and Security

The Representation of Migrant and Refugee Interests by European Umbrella Organizations: Evidence of Strain?

Melissa Schnyder
2016
Journal of European Integration

The Structure of Diversity among Migrant Rights Organizations in Europe

Melissa Schnyder
October (4th Quarter/Autumn) 2016
Journal of Contemporary European Research

Activism, NGOs, and the State: Multilevel Responses to Immigration Politics in Europe

Melissa Schnyder
August 2015
Rowman & Littlefield International Press

The Domestic Issue-Specific Political Opportunity Structure and Migrant Inclusion Organization Activity in Europe

Melissa Schnyder
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 13, 2015
Social Movement Studies

Migrant Inclusion Organization Activity at the Supranational Level: Examining Two Forms of Domestic Political Opportunity Structures

Melissa Schnyder
November 2014
Interface

NGO Cooperation and Involvement across Multi-Level Policy Processes

Melissa Schnyder
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2007
Institute for European Studies

Interest Group Politics in the European Union: Migrant Inclusion Organizations and Political Behavior across Levels of Governance

Melissa Schnyder
November 2006
Indiana University

Joint efforts lead to joint success

Melissa Schnyder
2005
One Europe Magazine

Internal Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

Varieties of Cooperation among European Migrant Inclusion NGOs

2014 - 2014
Funded - Completed

External Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

Food Insecurity, Food Inequality, and Environmental Sustainability in Oak Park, IL

The Jane Goodall Institute
2020 - 2020
Funded - Completed

Visiting Faculty

University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies
- 2015
Funded - Completed

Fulbright Fellowship

International Institute for Education
2005 - 2006
Funded - Completed

Graduate Fellowship for Dissertation Writing

Indiana University
2004 - 2004
Funded - Completed

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship in Hungarian

Indiana University
2003 - 2003
Funded - Completed

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship in Romanian

Indiana University
2002 - 2002
Funded - Completed

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship in Arabic

Center for the Study of Global Change
2001 - 2002
Funded - Completed

Presentations

Social Movement Communities: Examining the Activities of Leaders of Local Slow Food Chapters in the United States

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 7, 2022

“Coalition Dynamics in Transnational Social Movements: Analyzing the Coalition for a Common Food Policy for the European Union.”

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 14, 2021

Analyzing Norm-Based Advocacy Strategies to Address Asylum on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Europe

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 16, 2020

The Use of Normative Framing Strategies by Refugee Protection Organizations in High Contestation States

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 2019

Normative Framing Strategies among Refugee Protection Organizations in High and Low Contention States

Northeast Political Science Association Annual Conference
November 2018

Refugee Protection in the European Union: Examining Norm-Based Strategies for Change from a Comparative and Multilevel Perspective

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 6, 2018

"Does Europeanization Stick? National Policies and Sustained Europeanization Strategies by Domestic Migrant and Refugee Organizations"

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 7, 2017

Representing Migrants’ Interests in the European Union

International Conference of Europeanists
April 14, 2016

The Representation of Migrant and Refugee Interests by European Umbrella Organizations: Evidence of Strain?

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 8, 2016

The National Policy Context and Transnational Activity: An Analysis of Cross-Border Cooperation among European Migrant Inclusion Organizations

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 18, 2015

The Challenges and Opportunities of Publishing: A Roundtable

Graduate Studies Webinar Series
March 12, 2015

Varieties of Transnationalism: An Analysis of Less Visible Activities among European Migrant Inclusion Organizations

Southern Political Science Association Annual Conference
January 16, 2015

The Issue Specific POS and Migrant Inclusion Organization Activity at the Supranational Level

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 4, 2014

The Issue-Specific POS and Migrant Inclusion Organization Activity at the National and Supranational Levels

Southern Political Science Association Annual Conference
January 10, 2014

Pro-Migrant Networks and a Multi-level Strategy for Migrant Inclusion

Best Practices Symposium on Immigration and Ethnic Relations in European and North American Cities
January 26, 2006

Penetrating the Fortress? The Role and Impact of Pro-Migrant NGO Coalitions on the Anti-Discrimination Policy Agenda in the European Union

American Political Science Association Annual Conference
September 1, 2005

Networking among Pro-Migrant NGOs: Coalitions and their Influence on Policy Effectiveness

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 7, 2005

Panel Chair

Southern Political Science Association Annual Conference
January 8, 2004

“East-West Migration: Perceptions of Economic Reform, Political Reform, and Support for the EU.”

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference
April 3, 2003

Media Contributions

Opening a Conversation about Statelessness, Governance, and the Problem of Citizenship - In the Commonwealth and Beyond

Online Event Organized by the University of Birmingham, UK
November 3, 2021
Internet

Norm-based Strategies as Tools for Activists

Action! A Social Movement Blog
July 10, 2020
Social Media - Blog

Transitioning into an Applied Doctorate Program in Global Security

In Homeland Security
June 11, 2019
Other

Migrants at Sea: A Growing Humanitarian Crisis

In Homeland Security
June 17, 2015
Social Media - Blog

Terrorism: The Rise of Homegrown Jihadists in Europe

In Homeland Security
March 19, 2015
Social Media - Blog

Looking Beyond the Nation-State to Confront Global Environmental Problems

In Homeland Security
August 12, 2013
Social Media - Blog

Certifications and Licensure

October 6, 2023
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
December 3, 2020
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
October 19, 2017
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
January 19, 2014
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)

Awards & Honors

2024
2024 APUS Faculty Research Grant
APUS
Native Fishpond Restoration in Hawaii: Examining the Role of Issue Frames, Bridge Brokers, and Mobilization Dynamics in the Creation of an Integrated Indigenous Movement
2023
2023 APUS Faculty Research Grant
APUS
Examining Norms in Regional and Global Advocacy to Recognize Ecocide as an International Crime
January 1, 2022
2022 Faculty Research Grant
APUS
How Global Norms are Applied at the Local level to Frame and Promote Environmental Sustainability: Examining Cases of Multi-stakeholder Environmental Governance in France. ($7000)
June 16, 2021
2020 University Strategic Initiative – Catalyst – Learning Management System Migration
APUS
During 2020, the earner of this badge made significant contributions to the migration of courses to a new online classroom to improve user experience, promote student-to-student and faculty-to-student interaction, enable a robust mobile classroom, and further differentiate APUS as a leader in online learning.
May 2021
Outstanding Faculty Research and Scholarship Award, Honorable Mention
APUS
Outstanding Faculty Research and Scholarship Award, Honorable Mention
January 1, 2021
2021 Faculty Research Grant
APUS
How Global Norms are Applied at the Local level to Frame and Promote Environmental Sustainability: Examining Cases of Multi-stakeholder Environmental Governance in France
January 1, 2020
2020 Faculty Research Grant
APUS
American Public University Faculty Research Grant ($6500). Project title: Analyzing Value-based Issue Frames in Agroecology through a Study of Farmer-to-Farmer Networks and Training Centers in Belgium, France, Spain, and Canada. 2020.
January 1, 2019
2019 Faculty Research Grant
APUS
American Public University Faculty Research Grant ($9685). Project title: The Impact of Normative Framing on Public Support for Refugee Protection Policies. 2019.
January 1, 2018
2018 Faculty Research Grant
January 1, 2016
2016 Faculty Research Grant
APUS
This project uses original survey data to assess the impact of national migrant integration policies on the propensity of organizations to form cooperative relationships with specific EU level actors. It empirically assesses whether Europeanization is enduring or sporadic.
June 13, 2015
School of Security and Global Studies Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award
APUS
Received the 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award for the SSGS.
January 1, 2015
2015 Faculty Research Grant
APUS
My current research project investigates how well supranationally-organized umbrella organizations based in Brussels, Belgium (the capital of the European Union) represent their diverse members’ interests.
January 15, 2014
2014 Research Grant
APUS
Investigate the domestic determinants of cooperation among European migrant and refugee NGOs.
January 1, 2007
Inaugural Working Paper
Institute for European Studies
Manuscript selected as inaugural working paper for Institute for European Studies’ newly-launched working paper series, 2007
September 1, 2006
Nomination - APSA Best Paper on European Politics and Society
American Political Science Association
Nominated for American Political Science Association 2006 prize for best paper on European Politics and Society
September 1, 2005
Fulbright Fellowship
Institute of International Education
Researched the political activities of European migrant and refugee NGOs and their methods of policy influence.