Research

My research program examines American political behavior through multiple lenses, combining theoretical insights with rigorous empirical methods to understand how citizens engage with democratic politics.

Current Research Areas

Political Polarization

I study the causes, manifestations, and consequences of political polarization in American society. This includes examining how partisan identities shape political perceptions, the role of elite behavior in driving polarization, and the implications for democratic governance.

Political Violence and Extremism

My work explores the conditions under which political disagreements escalate to violence, the psychological and social factors that contribute to political extremism, and the role of political rhetoric in fostering or preventing violence.

Electoral Politics and Voting Behavior

I investigate how voters make decisions, the factors that influence candidate choice, and the broader patterns of electoral competition in American politics. This includes work on candidate strategy, campaign effects, and electoral institutions.

Survey Methodology and Experimental Methods

I develop and refine methodological approaches for studying political behavior, with particular emphasis on survey experiments, implicit measures, and techniques for causal inference in observational data.

Methodological Innovations

Survey Experiments

I employ survey experimental methods to isolate causal effects and test theoretical predictions about political behavior. This approach allows for rigorous hypothesis testing while maintaining external validity.

Implicit Measures

My research incorporates implicit measures to capture political attitudes and biases that respondents may be unwilling or unable to report explicitly in traditional surveys.

Formal Theory and Empirical Analysis

I work at the intersection of formal theoretical models and empirical analysis, using mathematical models to generate testable hypotheses and empirical data to evaluate and refine theoretical predictions.

Ongoing Projects

My current research projects span several areas including:

The psychological foundations of democratic attitudes
Elite rhetoric and mass polarization
Experimental studies of political violence
Survey methodology for sensitive political topics
The role of social identity in political behavior

Collaboration and Data Collection

As Co-Director of the UMass Poll, I oversee large-scale public opinion surveys that inform both academic research and public understanding of political attitudes. This work involves collaboration with media organizations, government agencies, and other research institutions.

For specific publications and working papers, please see my Publications page.