FEATURED AUTHOR

Ben Farrer

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Knox College

I am an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. Most of my research and teaching interests are focused on political organizations. In particular, I look at how under-represented groups can use political organizations to gain policy influence.

Subjects: Environment and Sustainability

Biography

I received my PhD in political science from Binghamton University (SUNY) in 2014. I held a pre-doctoral research position at Fordham University in 2013, then a visiting position at Hobart and William Smith colleges in 2014. Since 2015, I have been an assistant professor in the environmental studies department at Knox.

Education

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

My research explains how under-represented, ‘niche’, or minority groups can use political organizations to improve their political representation. By forming the ‘right’ type of organization, even relatively small groups can have a prominent voice in the policy-making process. I look at how political institutions explain which type of organization is the ‘right’ choice, and I also explore the other predictors of policy influence for minority groups. I have focused on environmentalists as an example of an under-represented group in democratic societies, but have also looked at ethnic minorities, and the populist radical right, as other examples of groups that make organizational choices in order to maximize their policy influence.

Personal Interests

When i'm not working (and sometimes when i am) i'm playing music and writing songs. i help host an open-mic in Galesburg, and play in a couple of bands. i also help co-ordinate a study hall program at a local prison.

Books

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