Joshua Kalla

Joshua Kalla is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Yale University with a secondary appointment in Statistics and Data Science. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Yale University. His research focuses on political persuasion, prejudice reduction, and decision-making in electoral contexts, leveraging randomized field experiments. Kalla’s work explores how campaigns and nonprofits influence voter behavior and reduce societal prejudices, particularly toward marginalized groups like LGBT individuals and undocumented immigrants.

He teaches courses on data science for political campaigns and has received the Arthur Greer Memorial Prize (2021-2022) for outstanding junior faculty research. Current projects include studying media effects, such as the impact of cable news (e.g., Fox News) on political attitudes, and the efficacy of cross-cutting media consumption in moderating polarization.

His research demonstrates that while traditional campaign tactics often have minimal persuasive effects, targeted information and interpersonal conversations can shift voter preferences and reduce prejudice. Kalla emphasizes the interplay between academic research and real-world applications, inviting practitioners to his classes and mentoring students into political data roles.

Key awards include the Arthur Greer Memorial Prize. His work bridges empirical social science with practical policy insights, addressing contemporary challenges in electoral politics, prejudice reduction, and media influence.