Matthew Hayes

Matthew Hayes is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of Departmental Climate, Faculty and Student Success at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds a PhD from University of Illinois and studies race, representation, and political psychology.

His research examines how citizens evaluate descriptive, symbolic and substantive representation, with publications in Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, and Legislative Studies Quarterly. Hayes leads WUSTEPS (Washington University Summer Training Experience in Political Science) and has published on redistricting, ethnic discrimination perceptions, and personality-political trust relationships.

His recent work demonstrates methodological innovation in studying race/gender signaling and legislative symbolism. Articles consistently explore intersection of identity politics and institutional representation.