Dr. Erin O’Brien’s research and teaching interests focus on two main fields: the politics of mass opinion and behavior & the politics of poverty and social welfare policy. Within these fields, and at both the individual and collective level, she examines how gender, race and ethnicity, social class, and other group cleavages affect political processes and outcomes. Her work employs a variety of methods and approaches to social science in order to examine the connections among social policy, political thought and behavior, and patterns of stratification and identity associated with social groups.

Dr. O’Brien's forthcoming book, The Politics of Identity: Solidarity Building among America’s Working Poor, appears in Anne Schneider and Helen Ingram’s public policy series at The State University of New York (SUNY) Press. She has also authored or co-authored articles and book chapters appearing in venues including the American Journal of Political Science, Women & Politics, Religious Convictions and Practices in Public Life (Praeger 2007), Campaigns and Elections American Style (Westview, 2004 2ed.), and Race and the Politics of Welfare Reform (University of Michigan, 2003).

Contact: erin.obrien@umb.edu