Christopher Acuff

Christopher Acuff is an Associate Professor and UC Foundation Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Service at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he also serves as Graduate Program Director. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and an MPA from UTC. Previously, he worked as a research analyst for the State of Tennessee in Nashville.

His educational qualifications include:

• PhD in Political Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2017)
• MPA in Local Government Management, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2012)
• BA in Political Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2009)

Dr. Acuff's research centers on state and local government, urban politics, public policy, and political geography. Current projects investigate city-county consolidation, citizen voting behavior in local referenda, equity in municipal services, county government administration, and the socio-ecological functions of urban greenways. His work also addresses Southern politics, racial representation, and geographic information systems applications in public administration.

Recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on local government restructuring, particularly consolidation, and its fiscal and representational outcomes. He has also published on voter identification laws and urban greenway systems, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach spanning public administration, political science, and urban studies. His research often employs quantitative methods and case studies from the southeastern United States.

As Graduate Program Director for the MPA program, Dr. Acuff mentors students and oversees curriculum development. While specific grant funding is not detailed, his applied research with agencies like the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency indicates collaborative projects addressing local government challenges.