Erin O'Brien

PhD, American University

Department of Political Science

Research Interests and Specialties:
Public policy; politics of poverty and U.S. social welfare policy; stratification, politics, and policy; political behavior; urban politics and policy; research methods and epistemology; theoretical approaches to public policy; American politics

Dr. Erin E. O’Brien’s research and teaching interests focus on two main fields: the politics of poverty and social welfare policy & the politics of mass opinion and behavior. Within these fields, and at both the individual and collective level, she examines how gender, race and ethnicity, social class, and other group cleavages affect political processes and policy outcomes. Her work employs a variety of methods and approaches to social science in order to examine the connections among social policy, political thought and action, inequality, and patterns of stratification and identity associated with social groups.

Dr. O’Brien's book, The Politics of Identity: Solidarity Building among America’s Working Poor, appears in Anne Schneider and Helen Ingram’s public policy series at The State University of New York (SUNY) Press (July, 2008). She has also authored or co-authored articles and book chapters appearing in venues including the American Journal of Political Science, Women & Politics, Religious Convictions and Practices in Public Life (Praeger 2008), Campaigns and Elections American Style (Westview, 2004 2ed.), and Race and the Politics of Welfare Reform (University of Michigan, 2003). Other works include a co-edited volume, Diversity in Contemporary American Politics and Government, published by Pearson-Longman Press (September, 2008).

Office Location: Wheatley Hall, 5th floor, room 78
Telephone: 617-287-6920
Email address: erin.obrien@umb.edu

Contact us at public.policy@umb.edu for more information.

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