Koutnik, assistant professor of political science, teaches a diverse range of courses, including an introductory course in political theory and a new seminar on ideas of home and belonging in environmental politics. Since joining the faculty in 2022, he has earned a reputation as an especially effective and inspiring teacher, one who is caring, thoughtful, and deeply invested in his students’ intellectual and personal growth.

“He pushes us to find meaning and even joy in challenging readings and ideas, which has greatly shaped how I approach academic work,” writes one of his students.

Beyond the classroom Dr. Koutnik demonstrates genuine compassion and humanity. Whether serving as an academic advisor or research mentor, he is known for going above and beyond to ensure students feel valued and empowered.

Koutnik earned his undergraduate degree in political science and economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on conservationist and agrarian environmentalists like Aldo Leopold and Wendell Berry, questions of scale and place in environmentalism, the possibilities of ecological populism, the relationship between conservatism and environmentalism, and the idea of home in environmental political thought.