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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ANDREA BENJAMIN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2023

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Type
Spotlight
Information
Political Science Today , Volume 3 , Issue 4 , November 2023, pp. 8
Copyright
© American Political Science Association 2023

How did you learn about APSA? When did you become a member of APSA, and what prompted you to join?

I knew about APSA early on in my graduate student career, but I became a member of the association towards the end of graduate school. I joined so that I could present my research, network, and learn more about the research of other scholars.

How have APSA membership and services been valuable to you at different stages of your career?

My APSA membership has provided me access to syllabi when I needed help, networking, and helped me grow in the profession. I have been able to present my own research and receive quality feedback. As I grew in the profession, I started to serve in the discussant and chair roles at the conference. In these roles, I always strive to provide good written feedback to fellow scholars and allow for audience feedback and participation during the panel. I also really enjoy learning about new research and engaging in conversations about new work.

Can you tell us about your professional background and your research?

I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of California, Davis. I earned my PhD from the University of Michigan. My research interests include race and politics, local elections and voting behavior, and public opinion. My first book, Racial Coalition Building in Local Elections: Elite Cues and Cross-Ethnic Voting (https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108233644), explores the potential for Black and Latino Coalitions. Using the Co-Ethnic Elite Cues Theory, the book shows that Blacks and Latinos rely on endorsements from co-ethnic leaders when casting their ballots. This is especially true when race and ethnicity are salient in the campaign. This book was published by Cambridge University Press in 2017. I am currently working on a project about coalitions, electoral representation, and policy representation in local politics. I really enjoy teaching and try to bring research to the classroom. When I teach, I try to pick one election to follow closely during the semester. When we follow nearby local elections, I try to invite the local candidates and elected officials to my classes. Most of them are willing to do this and my students always learn so much from the experience.

Which APSA programs or events would you recommend to people who are not members of the association, and why?

For me, APSA membership is about more than just the annual meeting. I have attended the Teaching and Learning Conference and had such a good time. The conference is a little smaller, but it really allowed me to meet others and discuss teaching, which is something I love. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the APSA online programming on teaching during the pandemic was helpful.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or the work that you do?

I am very active in my community in Oklahoma City. I currently serve as President of the board of Sally’s List, Vice President of the board of Northeast Oklahoma City Renaissance, and as a member of the board of the Oklahoma ACLU. From 2020-2022, I served as the co-chair of the Human Rights Commission Task Force in Oklahoma City. I am a huge sports fan! I have two cats named Laila Ali and Misty Copeland. ■