معرفی
Rebecca Harris is a Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University, where she teaches in the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics. She specializes in food policy, farm policy, and public policy, bringing a unique dual perspective as both an academic scholar and a commercial farmer operating in the Shenandoah Valley.
Her research focuses on the intersection of politics and agriculture, with particular attention to how partisan dynamics shape food and farming policies in America. Harris examines historical and contemporary relationships between political parties and agricultural policy, challenging common assumptions about which party supports farmers and why.
Her primary research interests include:
- Food policy and politics
- US farm subsidies and agricultural economics
- Partisan approaches to food security and safety
- Environmental regulations affecting farmers
- Policy implementation at the local level
- Agricultural risk management
Harris has published significant scholarly work, most notably her book "Party Food: A Partisan History of Food & Farming in America" (2021), which examines how Democratic and Republican approaches to food policy have evolved throughout American history. Her research reveals that Democrats have historically supported farm subsidies as social welfare policy, while Republicans have often preferred market-based solutions despite being perceived as the "farmer's party."
She is currently working on a follow-up book titled "Barnstorming" that explores changing political attitudes toward American agriculture. Harris has participated in congressional farm bill field hearings, including one hosted by Ranking Member Thomas in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in October 2021.
Her teaching portfolio includes courses on public policy, environmental policy, and a specialized Spring Term course on food policy, where she connects theoretical frameworks with practical farming experiences from the Shenandoah region. She aims to help students understand how government policies translate to real-world impacts on individual lives.
