Elaine Denny

Elaine Denny is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Merced, within the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Her research examines how financial insecurity influences political behavior and participation, with a focus on psychological mechanisms and policy interventions.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of California, San Diego, 2017
• M.P.P. in Human Rights and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2009
• B.A. in Chemistry (Highest Honors), Williams College, 2004

Her research interests include political behavior, political participation, economic insecurity, inequality, and American politics. She employs survey, laboratory, and field experiments to investigate how financial stress affects political decision-making and to evaluate interventions aimed at reducing disparities in civic engagement. She is also interested in developing methods to measure social norms and applying advanced causal inference techniques to assess poverty alleviation strategies.

While no publications are listed in the provided text, her methodological approach suggests a strong emphasis on experimental and quantitative political science, particularly in the subfields of behavioral political economy and public opinion.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed.

Denny advises students in political science and related fields, though no current or past advisees are named. She is involved in research that intersects with policy evaluation and behavioral science, potentially securing grants related to social inequality and civic engagement. She may be affiliated with research labs or centers focused on political behavior or public policy at UC Merced, though specific lab or team affiliations are not mentioned in the text.