Richard C. Fording is Professor of Political Science. He earned his B.A. at the University of Florida (1986), and his Ph.D. from Florida State University (1998). His primary teaching and research interests include public policy, race and politics, state politics, social movements, and quantitative methodology. He is the author or co-author of articles appearing in a variety of journals, including American Political Science Review, American Sociological Review, American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Politics. He has a joint appointment in the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration and is currently serving as Associate Director for the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research.