Scott Nolan

Scott Nolan is a Senior Professor of Practice in the Department of Political Science at Tulane University within the School of Liberal Arts. He specializes in American Politics, with expertise in courts, law, public policy, healthcare politics, identity politics, and statistical methods of political research.

• B.A. in Political Science with Pre-Law Concentration (University of New Orleans, 2007)
• M.A. in Political Science (University of New Orleans, 2013)
• Ph.D. in Political Science (University of New Orleans, 2019)

Professor Nolan’s research spans broad domains such as American Politics, Legal Systems, and Public Policy Analysis, with specific focus on intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in the law, healthcare policy, and judicial behavior. His teaching emphasizes methodological rigor and practical applications of political science.

He has received multiple accolades for teaching and mentorship, including the April Brayfield Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award (2022), William Duren Professor Award for Teaching Innovation (2023), and Faculty Member of the Year Award (2025). He was a finalist for the Weiss Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025).

Professor Nolan serves as Faculty Advisor for Tulane’s Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), Mock Trial Club, and Phi Alpha Delta (pre-law society). He is a Faculty Principal in Tulane’s Tenenbaum Scholars Program, College Scholars Program, and College Track Program, and an Affiliate Faculty member in the Department of Gender & Sexuality (2025). His annual “Path to Law School” lectures have helped hundreds of students gain admission to top U.S. law schools.