Dale Justice

Dale Justice is a M.A. & Ph.D. student at Arizona State University whose academic work focuses on the rise of populism, conspiratorial thinking, and their influence on democratic institutions in the United States. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dale is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and first-generation college graduate. Dale earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. He served as President of the Zeta Tau Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, and earned lifetime membership.

Under Dale’s leadership, the chapter grew by 165% and became a central hub for civic engagement on campus. He unified the university’s Model United Nations, Moot Court, and Mock Trial teams under one banner and organized The Great Debate, a widely attended event that brought students and professors together in formal debate, political satire, and creative public discourse.

Before transitioning into academia, Dale spent over 25 years in the music industry as a singer/songwriter, beginning at the age of 10. From living in Hollywood, CA to Nashville, TN, his career took him from small-town stages to major venues across the country, eventually collaborating with Grammy-winning artists, representing top-tier brands and culminating in world tours. His experience in music helped shape his understanding of narrative, emotion, and mass influence—elements that now inform his research into political behavior and populist appeal.

Dale is committed to public service and aims to contribute to both scholarship and public policy reform, particularly in the realms of veteran advocacy, Veteran Administration appeals processes, misinformation, and democratic resilience.