Traci Burch

Traci Burch is Professor of Political Science at Northwestern University and Research Professor at the American Bar Foundation. Her work focuses on political participation, inequality, and social policy in the United States, with cross-cutting expertise in law and politics, race and ethnicity, and public opinion.

• A.B., Princeton University
• Ph.D., Harvard University

Her research examines how criminal justice systems and disfranchisement laws impact democratic participation, particularly in marginalized communities. She has published extensively in journals like Political Behavior, Law and Society Review, and Criminology and Public Policy, including the award-winning book Trading Democracy for Justice. Her work bridges political science, sociology, and criminology.

Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary engagement with keywords spanning political science, criminal justice, law, and race studies. Awards include multiple APSA honors, recognizing her contributions to understanding electoral politics and law-and-courts dynamics. She teaches courses on criminal justice policy and race-related public policy.