Colin Brown

Colin Brown serves as Associate Teaching Professor of Political Science and Undergraduate Program Director in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Northeastern University. His research examines descriptive representation of immigrant communities in Western Europe, with particular focus on how electoral systems and party rules create trade-offs between gender and ethnic diversity in candidate selection.

Education:

• PhD in Political Science from Harvard University (2015)
• BA in Political Science from University of Rochester (2007)

Dr. Brown's research program spans two interconnected domains: political representation of immigrant communities and innovative pedagogy in political science education. His representation work analyzes election laws in Germany, Netherlands, and France to identify institutional mechanisms affecting diversity in political candidacies. Simultaneously, he develops evidence-based teaching methods for writing instruction, empathy development, and information literacy through classroom experiments and curriculum design.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2011-2025) reveals a dual scholarly trajectory: 40% focus on immigration politics and representation (primarily Western Europe case studies), while 60% advance political science education through rubric design, simulation pedagogy, and empathy cultivation. The 2025 publications particularly emphasize assessment innovation and emotional dimensions of political learning.

Scientific Awards:

• Harvard College Fellow

As Undergraduate Program Director, Brown oversees curriculum development and student advising while co-editing Political Science Educator. He maintains active research collaborations through the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (Harvard affiliate) and contributes to APSA's teaching initiatives. Though specific grants aren't detailed, his scholarship demonstrates sustained funding through academic appointments and conference leadership.

Brown collaborates with Northeastern colleagues including Max Abrahms (terrorism research) and Amílcar Antonio Barreto (comparative politics), while maintaining Harvard Center for European Studies affiliation. His GovWrites curriculum development and JFK Memorial Policy Fellows coordination demonstrate cross-institutional team leadership in political science education.