Sarah A. Treul

Sarah A. Treul is a Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), where she also serves as Faculty Director of the Program for Public Discourse and previously held roles such as Interim Dean of the School for Civic Life and Leadership (2023–2024) and Bowman and Gordon Gray Term Professor (2019–2024). Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Minnesota (2009 and 2008) and a B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Wellesley College (2003).

Her research focuses on American political institutions, particularly the U.S. Congress and primary elections. Key themes include the rise of inexperienced candidates, legislative effectiveness, and representation dynamics. Notable works include the book Agenda Crossover: The Influence of State Delegations in Congress (2017) and articles on topics like primary barriers to working-class representation and the electoral consequences of legislative behavior.

Dr. Treul has received awards such as the State Politics & Policy Quarterly Best Paper Award (2023) and the Chapman Family Teaching Award (2019). Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses, including legislative politics and political entrepreneurship. She has advised numerous students on theses, mentored dissertation committees, and contributed to academic service roles like co-editing Legislative Studies Quarterly.

Her grants include funding from the Center for Effective Lawmaking and the NC Policy Collaboratory. Recent invited talks include engagements at Stanford University, Columbia University, and Brown University’s Women in Legislative Studies Conference. Treul’s work bridges legislative behavior, electoral politics, and representation, with a focus on contemporary challenges in U.S. democracy.