Heather Evans

Heather K. Evans is the John Morton Beaty Professor of Political Science at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Previously, she held roles as Associate Professor (2015-2019) and Assistant Professor (2009-2015) at Sam Houston State University. She coordinates the Experiential Learning Hub and contributes to Academic Affairs. Evans holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University (2009), specializing in American Politics and Research Methods, alongside an M.A. (2006) and B.A. (2004) in Political Science and Mathematics from Berea College.

Her research focuses on political communication, particularly the role of social media (especially Twitter) in elections, gender dynamics in political discourse, and the impact of competitive elections on democratic engagement. She has authored/co-authored over 17 peer-reviewed articles and three books, including Community Engagement Best Practices across the Disciplines (2018) and Competitive Elections and Democracy in America (2014). Her work explores topics like congressional candidates’ emotional appeals, gendered communication strategies, and the effects of service-learning on political efficacy.

Evans frequently collaborates with colleagues on projects analyzing digital political behavior. Notable contributions include studies on #MeToo responses on Twitter, gendered framing in 2020 campaigns, and the evolution of Twitter-style communication in congressional races. Her scholarship bridges theoretical political science with practical applications in education and civic engagement.