Martin Gilens

Martin Gilens is a Professor of Public Policy, Political Science, and Social Welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. His research focuses on economic and political inequality, public opinion, and racial politics, with a particular emphasis on how media representation and policy decisions intersect with issues of race and class. Gilens holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has held prestigious fellowships at institutions such as the Institute for Advanced Study and the Russell Sage Foundation.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California, Berkeley
• M.A. in Sociology, University of California, Berkeley
• B.A. in Sociology and Philosophy, University of California, Santa Cruz

His research interests include the role of mass media in shaping public perceptions of poverty and race, the influence of economic elites on policy, and the dynamics of political representation. Gilens has authored influential books such as Why Americans Hate Welfare and Affluence & Influence, and co-authored Democracy in America?, which critiques systemic flaws in U.S. governance.

Recent Work Trends: Gilens’ recent articles explore disaster policy through a racial lens, analyze anti-carceral policy messaging, and investigate the political implications of campaign finance. His work consistently bridges empirical research with critical analyses of systemic inequality.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study, Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study, and the Russell Sage Foundation

Prior to UCLA, Gilens taught at Yale and Princeton Universities. His current role at Luskin emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to public policy challenges, combining rigorous academic inquiry with practical solutions for social equity.