Jennifer Gaudette

Jennifer Gaudette serves as an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Policy, University of California, Riverside, leveraging her dual expertise in political science and law to examine power dynamics in local governance.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Political Science, UC San Diego (2025)
• J.D., Columbia Law School (2013)

Her research investigates how economic elites and interest groups shape local political institutions and electoral outcomes, employing mixed-method approaches including observational datasets of mayoral election endorsements and conjoint survey experiments. A core focus examines polarization mechanisms within police union politics, revealing how interest group behavior adapts to ideological divides in municipal contexts.

Her publication in the American Journal of Political Science establishes foundational insights into interest group strategies amid polarization, highlighting the evolving role of police unions in urban political ecosystems.

Teaching excellence defines her academic contributions:

• UCSD Barbara and Paul Saltman Excellent Teaching Award for Graduate Students (2024)

As a first-generation college graduate and former corporate attorney, she provides specialized mentorship for students navigating academic careers and law school transitions, integrating real-world legal experience into public policy pedagogy.