Richard Fox is the Dean of the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA), where he has been a professor of political science since 2007. He is a leading scholar on the study of political ambition, electoral behavior, and gender politics and is widely respected for his innovative teaching methods.
Fox’s research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, and he has authored or co-authored nine books, more than 25 peer-reviewed articles, and over 20 book chapters on U.S. electoral politics. His most recent book “American Politics: A Field Guide,” published in 2023, features provocative questions to engage students and helps them build the skills necessary for effective citizen engagement and political participation. He has also published op-eds in the Washington Post, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.
As a political science professor, Fox is known for his engaging teaching style. His popular “Simulated Congress” course offers students an in-depth understanding of U.S. Congress through a six to seven week congressional simulation. Students assume the roles of members of Congress, write bills, fundraise, issue press releases, negotiate with the president, and navigate the pressure applied by lobbyists. This immersive experience allows students to understand the workings of Congress in a more interactive and experiential way.
In his previous leadership roles at LMU, Fox demonstrated a student-centered approach. As BCLA’s Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, he was integral in the implementation of a new university core curriculum, established the BCLA Advising Center, and transitioned the College to a four-unit curriculum. This shift allowed faculty to further integrate their research and teaching, cultivating an environment where students, faculty, and staff could thrive. His future plans include working with the faculty to introduce new interdisciplinary majors to BCLA, and fundraising for student fellowships and summer internships. He has also established a student advisory board to keep him informed about the student experience.
A native of Los Angeles, Fox earned his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College and both his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara. Prior to his work at LMU, Fox taught political science for 13 years at Union College in Schenectady, New York.