Dianne Pinderhughes, Ph.D.

dpinderh@nd.edu

University of Notre Dame

Country: United States (Indiana)

Research Interests

Race, Ethnicity and Politics

Gender and Politics

Urban Politics

Representation and Electoral Systems

Countries of Interest

United States

Publications:

Books Written:

(2016) Contested Transformation: Race, Gender, and Political Leadership in 21st Century America, Cambridge University Press

Contested Transformation constitutes the first comprehensive study of racial and ethnic minorities holding elective office in the United States at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Building on data from the Gender and Multicultural Leadership (GMCL) National Database and Survey, it provides a baseline portrait of Black, Latino, Asian American, and American Indian elected officials - the women and men holding public office at national, state, and local levels of government. Analysis reveals commonalities and differences across race and gender groups on their backgrounds, paths to public office, leadership roles, and policy positions. Challenging mainstream political science theories in their applicability to elected officials of color, the book offers new understandings of the experiences of those holding public office today. Gains in political leadership and influence by people of color are transforming the American political landscape, but they have occurred within a contested political context, one where struggles for racial and gender equality continue.