I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science in the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas.

My research centers on American political behavior, with particular emphasis on the social and psychological roots of political decision-making. This interest has led me to explore a variety of interconnected topics, each shedding light on different motivators of political behavior.

I am particularly interested in how the people we know and the places we live affect our political views and choices. One of the main findings of my research is that people often “choose to be changed” by actively selecting into social environments that influence their political views. This shows that politics can shape our social choices even when we are not thinking about politics directly.

My research utilizes unique research designs and employs a variety of research methods, including longitudinal studies, experiments, surveys, and analysis of large datasets. My work has appeared in many journals, including Political Behavior, Research and Politics, American Politics Research, and Research in Higher Education, among others. More information, including my full curriculum vitae and ongoing research projects, can be found here.

I received a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Government and English from the University of Texas at Austin. Hook ’em Horns and Go Bucks!