Scott A. MacKenzie

Scott A. MacKenzie is a Professor at the University of California, Davis, specializing in American politics with a focus on institutional rules, electoral systems, and governance. His work bridges legislative behavior, climate policy, and citizen decision-making in low-information environments. He holds a Ph.D. from UC San Diego (2009), an M.P.P. from the University of Chicago (2001), and a B.A. from Columbia University (1996).

Research interests include the impact of electoral rules on congressional lawmaking, citizen voting behavior in local elections, and government responses to climate change. Notable contributions include *Paradise Plundered: Fiscal Crisis and Governance Failures in San Diego* (co-authored), which received the Dennis Judd Best Book Award. His USDA-funded work examines climate-induced agricultural land-use changes in California’s Central Valley.

Recent articles explore legislative agendas influenced by constituency concerns, voter information effects in direct democracy, and advocacy tactics in climate policymaking. His scholarship spans historical analyses of U.S. political institutions and contemporary issues like police reform and environmental governance. Grants include support from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Awards:

• Dennis Judd Best Book Award (2011) for *Paradise Plundered*

His work integrates experimental methods to study voter behavior and policy preferences, with a focus on bridging theoretical and applied political science. Current research continues to examine climate policy, electoral systems, and governance challenges in urban and agricultural contexts.