Taylor Dark

Taylor Dark is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Los Angeles, where he has served since 2019, following previous roles as Associate Professor (2011-2019) and Assistant Professor (2005-2011) at the same institution. Before joining CSULA, he was an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at Doshisha University's Graduate School of American Studies in Kyoto, Japan (1996-2004), and held teaching positions at the University of California, Irvine (1995-1996), and universities in Ukraine and Russia (1993-1995). He earned his Ph.D. (1993), M.A. (1986), and B.A. (1983) from the University of California, Berkeley, and a M.Sc. from the London School of Economics.

• Education: Ph.D., M.A., B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley; M.Sc. in Government from London School of Economics.

Dark’s research focuses on the intersection of American politics, labor unions, and political parties. His work examines the evolving relationship between organized labor and the Democratic Party, party government dynamics, and the ideological implications of space advocacy. He also explores the political participation of Americans abroad and the historical decline of labor organizations.

His 15 most recent publications highlight trends in labor union political strategies, transnational party systems, and the ideological challenges of globalization. Key keywords include Political Science, Labor Unions, Party Politics, and Space Studies, with sub-fields such as Political Advocacy, Policy Making, and Technological Progress.

• Scientific Awards: Fulbright German Studies Seminar (2012); Gladys M. Kammerer Award Committee Member (2010); Professor of the Year (2007, CSULA Pi Sigma Alpha); Doshisha University Research Grant (2001); University Fellowship (UC Berkeley, 1991-1992); Everett C. Dirksen Center Grant (1990); Walter P. Reuther Labor Archives Grant (1990); Ph.D. Distinction in Comparative Politics (1988).

Dark has served as Faculty Advisor to CSULA’s Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and Political Science Association since 2009, and held editorial board roles for Labor History and Doshisha American Studies. He secured grants totaling $43,000 from the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission for symposiums on American elections and managed annual $65,000 research budgets as Research Director at Doshisha University.