Vanderbilt Political Review Fall 2015 | Page 17

FALL 2015 FEATURE BROOKE ACKERLY I am finishing a book called Just Responsibility about how we can respond to injustices around the world, like those raised when there is a garment factory disaster or a hunger crisis. I am collaborating with Steve Goodbred and Jonathan Gilligan in EES on the connection between environmental change, resource management, social justice, and governance and public policy, with a focus on gender and politics. ELIZABETH ZECHMEISTER Dr. Zechmeister works on public opinion and political behavior in Latin America. Her latest book, The Latin American Voter, was just published by the University of Michigan Press. The book presents a comprehensive look at the factors that determine voter choice in Latin America. In a new project, Dr. Zechmeister looks at role that the media plays in leading Latin American citizens to prioritize crime and security as important problems facing their countries. AMANDA CLAYTON Professor Clayton’s research concerns political institutions, representation, and public policy, with a focus on gender and politics. Using a variety of cases and methodological approaches, her current research examines how quotas for women in politics mediate the representative process. This agenda includes measuring the effects of electoral gender quotas across a range of potential outcomes, including public attitudes and behavior towards female leaders, MP plenary behavior, policy outcomes and legislative priorities. BRUCE OPPENHEIMER Oppenheimer’s research primarily focuses on Congress and American political institutions. His primary current interest examines how process changes have affected the ability of Congress to develop energy policy over the past half century. In addition, he has recently worked on projects examining why African-American House members rarely run