Sharon Werning Rivera specializes in the post-communist region of Eurasia with a particular emphasis on Russia. Her research and teaching interests in the field of comparative politics include comparative democratization, elite political culture, the transformation of elites in post-communist settings, and the diffusion of ideas. Rivera's articles have appeared in Political Studies, Party Politics, Post-Soviet Affairs, PS: Political Science and Politics, and Europe-Asia Studies, as well as in edited collections. She received a Class of 1966 Career Development Award from Hamilton College for developing a simulated election campaign for the Government Department's 100-level course in Comparative Government.