Dr.Jason M. Pudlo has a background in political science and religious studies. Prior to coming to ORU in the fall of 2017, Dr.Pudlo earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma where he focused on religion, politics, environmentalism, and disaster studies.

In the classroom, Dr.Pudlo mixes traditional lecture with interactive discussions, activities, and simulations in an active learning approach to teaching. Dr.Pudlo encourages students to engage with primary sources and data so they can better understand and analyze political information and research. This prepares students to be discerning consumers of information and enables them to produce valuable research for the businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions where ORU graduates find careers.

As a researcher, Dr.Pudlo focuses on issues of religion, environment, and natural disasters through quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. One track of his research seeks to better understand religiously-inspired beliefs about environmentalism. A second track, aimed at practitioners, examines both responses to disaster warnings and the role of faith-based groups in disaster preparation and recovery. Dr.Pudlo believes this research will help to advance academic knowledge, empower congregations and the community, and provide an opportunity for partnerships with future ORU graduates where they can hone their research skills.

Dr.Pudlo earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Northpoint College in Haverhill, Massachusetts and, after a few years of serving as clergy, began an M.Div at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Pudlo ultimately earned an M.A. in religious studies at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri with a focus on religion and society. This lead to an M.A and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma.