Betsy Sinclair

Betsy Sinclair

Betsy Sinclair

Chair of Political Science
Professor of Political Science
Thomas F. Eagleton University Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science
research interests:
  • American
  • Methodology
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contact info:

mailing address:

  • Washington University
    MSC 1063-228-249
    One Brookings Drive
    St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

​Professor Sinclair’s research interests include American politics and political methodology with an emphasis on individual political behavior.

Professor Sinclair focuses on the social foundations of participatory democracy — the ways in which social networks influence voting, donating, choosing a candidate or identifying with a particular party.

Professor Sinclair has been Chair of Political Science since July 2023.

 The Social Citizen

The Social Citizen

Human beings are social animals. Yet despite vast amounts of research into political decision making, very little attention has been devoted to its social dimensions. In political science, social relationships are generally thought of as mere sources of information, rather than active influences on one’s political decisions.