Jonathan Ruff, PhD

Exploring how decision-makers create momentum and legitimize policy ideas within the scope of a preferred institution.

Jon studies how stories shape bureaucracy’s responsibilities.

He gravitates toward a social-constructivism ontology and applies approaches grounded in the policy process theories. As a result, his work reflects a consciousness around my biases as a researcher in both qualitative and quantitative (typically, mixed-method) approaches.

Jon’s joy in research derives from his contributions to theory and in new expressions of methodology to capture the ‘difficult to reach’ areas of policy perspectives. Much of his work seeks to build operational approaches through interdisciplinary lenses that can be applied liberally by others in the field.

Research Interests

Jon’s research agenda combines his love for public policy and public administration by exploring macro and meso policy narratives that connect policy perspectives with the successes and shortcomings of bureaucracy.

  • Policy narrative construction
  • Technology and the reorganization of bureaucratic responsibilities
  • Interest group influence in legislatures
  • Subgovernmental politics and policymaking
  • Defense & security (conflict) policy narratives
    • How government stories rewrite history
  • Indigenous-Tribal governance collaboration

Recent Publications

Structure, Valence, and Causality: A Scoping Review of Plot Concepts and Measurements in the Narrative Policy Framework.

Ruff, J.W.A. (2025) Structure, Valence, and Causality: A Scoping Review of Plot Concepts and Measurements in the Narrative Policy Framework. Policy Studies Journal. doi: 10.1111/psj.70066

Space for Stories: Legislative narratives and the establishment of the USSF.

Ruff, J. W. A., Stelmach, G., & Jones, M. D. (2022). Space for stories: Legislative narratives and the establishment of the US Space Force. Policy Sciences, 55(3), 509–553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09455-5

Conference Presentations

Conference Panels