Evan Laine

Evan Laine serves as Associate Professor of History at Thomas Jefferson University's College of Humanities & Sciences, holding dual leadership roles as Director of the BS in Law & Society Program and Faculty Director of the Arlen Specter Center. Based at 4201 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144, he maintains active academic engagement through teaching and program administration.

His educational foundation includes an MA in American History from Rutgers University (2007), a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School (1981), and undergraduate studies at the State University of New York at Albany (1978). Laine is a retired member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state bars, as well as federal district courts in both jurisdictions.

Research centers on conspiracy theory analysis intersecting with legal and medical frameworks, particularly examining historical political events like the Warren Commission investigations, Vietnam War diplomacy, and modern security policy. His methodology combines archival historical research with contemporary political psychology to dissect public belief systems around major national crises.

Publications reveal consistent thematic focus across decades, evolving from his award-winning master's thesis on Nixon-era politics to recent works analyzing 9/11 conspiracy theories and Senator Arlen Specter's career. The 2021 Specter biography demonstrates his signature approach of connecting individual political trajectories to broader societal impacts on judicial nominations, civil rights, and scientific policy.

• Thomas Jefferson University Nexus Learning (Roydhouse) Award (2024)
• President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018)
• Nexus Teaching/Learning Competition Winner (2015)
• Nexus Learning Awards for ACES and Single Bullet exhibitions (2014)

As Faculty Director of the Arlen Specter Center, Laine leads public scholarship initiatives including the SINGLE BULLET exhibition analyzing Senator Specter's Warren Commission work, which transitioned from Gutman Library to the Battleship New Jersey American History Museum. His program directorship for Law & Society integrates historical analysis with contemporary legal education through structured student engagement.