General
Ph.D. — Washington University in St. Louis (1998)
M.A. — Washington University in St. Louis (1995)
B.A. — Gustavus Adolphus College (1993)
Researching and teaching (within and beyond the classroom) about the least understood branch of the federal government is my passion. I am an expert on the U.S. Supreme Court, oral arguments and decision making, judicial politics, empirical legal studies, and American political institutions.
External Grants
I have won $3,561,358 in external funding including six National Science Foundation Grants (2017, 2016, 2006, 2004, 2003, and 1997).
Research Awards
Pi Sigma Alpha Award (given annually for the best paper presented at the previous year’s meetings of the Southern Political Science Association meetings). 2009. “Political Case Salience, U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments, and the Search for the Holy Grail” (with Ryan C. Black).
The American Judicature Society Award (given annually for the best paper on law and courts presented at the previous year’s meetings of the American, Midwest, Southern, Southwestern, or Western Political Sciences Associations). 2002. “Passing and Sophisticated Voting on the U.S. Supreme Court” (with James F. Spriggs, and Paul Wahlbeck).