معرفی
Theda Skocpol is the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University, where she has taught since 1986 following earlier positions at the University of Chicago. Her career spans groundbreaking work in comparative historical sociology and American political development, with affiliations including leadership roles in the American Political Science Association and directorship of Harvard's Center for American Political Studies.
Her research investigates structural foundations of political change, with signature contributions in three areas:
- Revolutions and State Formation: Analyzing how state crises and agrarian structures drive revolutionary outcomes
- Social Policy Origins: Tracing the development of U.S. welfare systems from Civil War pensions to Obamacare
- Civic Engagement: Documenting the transformation of American associational life and grassroots politics
Skocpol's scholarship has earned major distinctions including the Johan Skytte Prize and Woodrow Wilson Award, recognizing her paradigm-shifting analyses of revolution trajectories and social policy development. Her mentorship emphasizes collaborative field research, notably co-authoring books with students studying regional political realignments.
She leads research on contemporary movements like the Tea Party and anti-Trump resistance, examining how organizational networks and funding mechanisms shape political outcomes. Through the Scholars Strategy Network, she bridges academic research and policy discourse on inequality, health reform, and democratic revitalization.
