Christopher J. Clark

Christopher J. Clark is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on minority representation, racial and ethnic politics in the U.S., and women of color political elites. He holds a B.A. from Saint Louis University (2005), M.A. (2006), and Ph.D. (2010) from the University of Iowa.

Clark’s work includes examining minority representation in state legislatures, the role of intersectionality in political leadership, and the impact of descriptive representation on citizen-legislator relationships. He co-developed the Descriptive Representation in State Legislatures (DRSL) dataset, analyzing leadership diversity across 30 states. His award-winning book Gaining Voice (Oxford UP, 2019) explores Black representation in American states.

Key research interests include political behavior, public opinion, and the intersection of race, gender, and policy. He has collaborated with scholars like Eric Hansen (Loyola University) and Nadia Brown (Georgetown) on projects involving Black women legislators and legislative caucuses. Awards include the Alan Rosenthal Prize (2020) and Virginia Gray Best Book Award (2022).

Clark advises on electoral reform, state-level politics, and diversity in political institutions. His teaching focuses on American politics and research methodology. Office hours are Tuesdays 10-12 and Thursdays 10-11 AM, with additional availability by appointment.