Robert Bauman

Robert Bauman is a Professor of History and Academic Director of Arts and Sciences at Washington State University Tri-Cities. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1998). His research focuses on 20th-century U.S. social policy, religion, and race in the American West, with particular emphasis on the War on Poverty, Hanford history, and racial segregation in Pacific Northwest communities.

• Education: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1998
• Affiliations: Academic Director, College of Arts & Sciences; Department of History faculty member

His work bridges historical scholarship and community engagement, including collaborative projects on Hanford’s displaced communities and ecumenical efforts in anti-poverty initiatives. Notable publications include Race and the War on Poverty (2008), Fighting to Preserve a Nation’s Soul (2019), and co-edited volumes on Hanford’s history.

Recent research trends emphasize:

• Intersection of religion and social policy
• Ethnic/racial dynamics in urban and rural contexts
• Historical memory of Cold War-era displacements

• Awards:
  • Charles Gates Award (2005) for “Jim Crow in the Tri-Cities”
  • WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award (2022)

He has presented at prestigious institutions including Princeton University and the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. His work often integrates archival research with oral histories to highlight marginalized voices in U.S. history.