Boris Shor

Boris Shor is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, where he conducts research on state legislatures, political polarization, representation, and health policy. He is associated with multiple interdisciplinary initiatives and contributes to major data infrastructure in political science.

Education:

• Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science, Columbia University
• B.A., Princeton University

Shor specializes in American politics with a focus on legislative behavior, ideological measurement, and health policy. His work combines quantitative methods, roll call analysis, and survey data to understand polarization and representation across U.S. states. He has developed one of the most comprehensive datasets on state legislative ideology, influencing both academic research and policy analysis.

His recent publications span top journals such as American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, and Political Analysis, with a thematic focus on state-level political dynamics, methodological innovation, and health policy politics. The research consistently explores how partisanship, ideology, and institutional structures shape policy outcomes.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in Health Policy, UC Berkeley
• Fellow, Center for the Study of Democratic Politics, Princeton University

Shor has secured major external funding from the National Science Foundation and the Russell Sage Foundation. He has advised undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students throughout his career. His ongoing book project examines the politics of health policy in the American states, building on his interdisciplinary background in political science and public health.

He is affiliated with research centers focused on democratic governance and public policy, contributing to collaborative academic networks across institutions.