Ray La Raja

Associate Professor of Political Science

Thompson 330
Office Hours: Spring 2013: Tues/Thurs 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Email: laraja@polsci.umass.edu
Phone: (413) 545-6182

Interests:

My research interests include political parties, interest groups, elections, campaign finance, political participation, American state politics, public policy and political reform. I am also the co-editor of The Forum: A Journal of Applied Research in Contemporary Politics and a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Campaign Finance Institute.

Education:
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Courses Taught:
American Politics; Political Parties and Elections; Political Participation

Current Projects:
I am currently studying how campaign finance laws affect elections, political parties and public policy. In addition, I'm looking at the ways that election laws might boost turnout. I'm also researching the factors that encourage or discourage women to run for office.