Some Stuff About Me
I am the lucky parent of two amazing children, two dogs and a spicy 19-year-old kitty named Lucy. I am also an Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Oregon. My teaching and research explore the "real world" implications of legal doctrine--with a particular focus on social policy and the ways in which exclusions based on race, gender/gender identity, sexuality and disability intersect to further disenfranchise vulnerable communities..
Prior to joining University of Oregon, I worked in Washington, DC researching fair housing, fair lending and public accommodations discrimination cases and advocating to abolish the death penalty. I moved to Portland in 2000 to help lead efforts to connect homeless, housing unstable and otherwise vulnerable communities to trainings and jobs in high demand fields.
I received an undergraduate degree in Art History (yes art history) from Vassar College, a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton and a PhD in Political Science from Berkeley. But I have learned the most from my amazing children.
For fun (and when I’m lucky) I can occasionally be seen telling outlandish lies and embarrassing truths on stage as a storyteller for Seven Deadly Sins.
Writing
Here are links to some of my articles in Newsweek, Politico, Washington Monthly, Fortune, and The Conversation and blogs I have posted to Ordinary Times. I have also included a selection of some of my books and journal articles.
Democracy’s Child (with Dan Tichenor), Oxford University Press, forthcoming
Public Speaking
I am available for public speaking events. I have given lectures on Free Speech and The US. Supreme Court for One Day University in over 15 cities. I have provided trainings for high school teachers on Free Speech for the Gilder Lerman Institute and on LGBTQ rights for a number of government and private agencies. I have also given talks on civil rights and legal advocacy at a variety of colleges, universities and community groups. Just email me if you are interested in scheduling a talk or a training.
Teaching
I work with amazing students and extraordinary colleagues. Last year UO surprised me with a Herman Teaching Award and I am honored and humbled by the recognition. These are the classes I teach.
PS 106 Power, Politics and Inequality
PS 275 Legal Process
PS 302 States Rights, State Wrongs
PS 368: Gender and the Law
PS 465: LGBTQ Rights in the Courts
PS 466 Modern Civil Rights Law
PS 484: The US Supreme Court
PS 485: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties