Biography

Peter McLaughlin joined the Political Science Department in Fall 2024 after earning his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, where he served as a research fellow with the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center. His primary interests focus on the United States Congress, particularly congressional representation and elections. His published research, which has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Public Policy and Legislative Studies Quarterly, explores the forces determining where federal money flows and how voters interpret congressional spending decisions. He also specializes in research methodology, with a focus on experimental design and wrangling data on federal spending programs. Before pursuing his Ph.D., Peter served as the research director for Vote Smart, a nationwide voter education nonprofit. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, biking, camping, and almost any other outdoor activity that he can do with friends.