Amber Mackey

Amber Mackey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, University of Virginia. Her research focuses on race and ethnic politics, legislative attention to race, and public policy in the United States.

Her research examines how and when race-related legislation reaches the political agenda and how such policies influence racial inequalities. Through her book project, Symbols Over Substance: Legislative Attention to Race, she uses text analysis to track legislative discourse across U.S. state legislatures and Congress, revealing a growing reliance on symbolic resolutions rather than substantive policy action. Her work highlights the implications of legislative inaction and symbolic politics on marginalized communities.

Mackey's research has been recognized through several prestigious fellowships. She has been named an American Political Science Association Minority Fellow, Urban Leaders Fellow, Fontaine Fellow, and Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, reflecting her scholarly excellence and commitment to advancing diversity in political science.

• American Political Science Association Minority Fellow
• Urban Leaders Fellow
• Fontaine Fellow
• Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow

She advises students and contributes to academic training in political science, though specific advisees are not listed. There is no mention of external grants in the provided text. Mackey has not indicated leadership of a lab or research team in the available information.