Ph.D. - Political Economy and Government
Harvard University - 1993
Professional Preparation
J.D.
University of California, Berkeley - 1983
University of California, Berkeley - 1983
B.S. - Civil Engineering & Economics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 1980
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 1980
Research Areas
Research and Teaching Interests
- Political Economy (fiscal policy, governance and finance of higher education, civil society)
- American Politics (institutions and processes, political and civic organizations, campaign finance)
- Public Policy (energy and environmental policy, higher education policy)
Publications
Brunell, Thomas, Robert Lowry, Banks Miller, and Thomas Gray. 2022. Introduction to American Government. Toronto: Top Hat Monocle. ISBN 978-1-77412-758-2. 2022 - E-book
Brunell, Thomas, Robert Lowry, Banks Miller, and Thomas Gray. 2022. State and Local Government. Toronto: Top Hat Monocle. ISBN 978-1-77412-285-3. 2022 - E-book
Lowry, Robert C. 2019. “The Effects of State Higher Education Policies and Institutions on Access by Economically Disadvantaged Students.” Research in Higher Education 60(February): 44-63. 2019 - Journal article
Lowry, Robert C. 2018. “Measuring Public Support for Environmental Policies in the States.” In Banks Miller and Jennifer Holmes (eds.) Readings in American State and Local Government, 196-206. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt. 2018 - Book chapter
Lowry, Robert C. and Alisa Hicklin Fryar. 2017. “The Politics of Higher Education.” In Virginia H. Gray, Russell L. Hanson, and Thad Kousser (eds), Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis, 422-450. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 11th edition. 2018 - Book chapter
Lowry, Robert C. 2017. “Fiscal Policy in the American States.” In Virginia H. Gray, Russell L. Hanson, and Thad Kousser (eds), Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis, 332-358. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 11th edition. 2018 - Book chapter
Lowry, Robert. 2017. “Reading, Writing and Wrangling: Education Politics and Policy in Texas.” In Euel Elliott and Doug Goodman (eds.) Texas Yesterday and Today, Readings in Texas Politics and Public Policy. Austin, TX: Great River Learning. E-book. 2017 - Book chapter
Lowry, Robert C. 2016. “Subsidizing Institutions vs. Outputs vs. Individuals: States’ Choices for Financing Postsecondary Education.” Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 26(April):197-210. 2016 - Journal article
Appointments
Associate Program Head and Director of Graduate Studies for the Political Science Program
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–2021]
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–2021]
Political Science Program Head
The University of Texas at Dallas [2007–2014]
The University of Texas at Dallas [2007–2014]
Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas [2006–Present]
The University of Texas at Dallas [2006–Present]
Director, Public Policy and Administration Program
Iowa State University [2005–2006]
Iowa State University [2005–2006]
Professor
Iowa State University [2005–2006]
Iowa State University [2005–2006]
Visiting Scholar
Harvard University [2004–2005]
Harvard University [2004–2005]
Associate Professor
Iowa State University [2000–2005]
Iowa State University [2000–2005]
Assistant Professor
Michigan State University [1993–2000]
Michigan State University [1993–2000]
Presentations
Academic Research Seminar on State and Local Policy Making and Economies
2018/08–2018/08 Sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University and the Hilton Center at Florida State University, Boston, MA, August 29, 2018.Conference on Equity, Excellence, and Accountability: Current Issues in Higher Education Policy
2013/04–2013/04 Sponsored by the Project for Equity, Representation, and Governance, Texas A&M University, April 18-20, 2013.“Transparency and Accountability: Evidence for U.S. States,” with James E. Alt.
2008/04–2008/04 Symposium on State and Local Politics, Center for the Study of Law and Politics, Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, April 2, 2008.Political Parties and Civil Society in Federal Countries
2009/11–2009/11 Global Dialogue on Federalism: USA Roundtable, sponsored by the Forum of Federations. University of Central Arkansas, November 6, 2009."Understanding the Whole Package: Public Welfare Spending and Private Social Services in American States"
2004/12–2004/12 Invited talk, University of Texas at Dallas, December 1, 2004.Additional Information
Professional Service and Affiliations
Editorial boardsState Politics and Policy Quarterly, 2005-14
American Journal of Political Science, 2006-09
Executive Council, Section on State Politics and Policy, American Political Science Association, 2008-2010
Finance Committee, Southern Political Science Association, 2014-19
Program committee chair, 16th Annual State Politics and Policy Conference, UT Dallas, May 19-21, 2016
Award committees
Christopher Z. Mooney Best Dissertation Prize Selection Committee, APSA Section on State Politics and Policy, 2018-19
Best Poster at the 2014 APSA annual meeting, APSA Section on Public Policy (chair)
Theodore J. Lowi Policy Studies Journal Best Article Award, APSA Section on Public Policy, 2014
Best Paper and Best Graduate Student Paper on State Politics and Policy presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Political Science Association
Party Politics Award, APSA Section on Political Organizations and Parties, 2006
Robert H. Durr Award for best paper applying quantitative methods to a substantive problem in political science, Midwest Political Science Association, 2003
Mentor, W.T. Grant Foundation Scholars Program, 2008-2013
Peer reviewer, article manuscripts: American Journal of Political Science; American Political Science Review; American Politics Research; British Journal of Political Science; Business and Politics; Congress and the Presidency; Comparative Political Studies; Economics & Politics; Economics of Education Review; Economics of Governance; Economic Inquiry; Electoral Studies; Election Law Journal; Journal of Law, Economics and Organization; The Journal of Politics; Journal of Policy Analysis and Management; Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory; Legislative Studies Quarterly; National Tax Journal; New Political Economy; Party Politics; Policy Studies Journal; Political Research Quarterly; Politics & Policy; Politique Amẽricaine; Public Administration Review; Public Choice; Public Budgeting and Finance; Public Finance and Management; Public Finance Review; Public Performance and Management Review; Publius: The Journal of Federalism; The Social Science Journal; Southern Economic Journal; State and Local Government Review; State Politics & Policy Quarterly.
Peer reviewer, book proposals: Routledge; McGraw-Hill Books, College Division; Oxford University Press; Routledge; SAGE Publications; W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Peer reviewer, grant proposals: Israel Science Foundation; National Science Foundation; The Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector Research Fund.
Member, American Political Science Association; Midwest Political Science Association; Southern Political Science Association.
Honors and Awards
- University of Texas at Dallas, Special Faculty Development Assignment, Spring 2015.
- Iowa State University Department of Political Science, Alumni Award for Senior Faculty Excellence, 2005.
- Iowa State University, Faculty Professional Development Assignment, 2004-05.
- Predoctoral fellowship, Harvard-MIT Research Training Group in Positive Political Economy, 1992-93.
- Member, California Law Review, 1982-83
- Member, Chi Epsilon (national civil engineering honor society), 1979
Professional Memberships
- American Political Science Association
- Midwest Political Science Association
- Southern Political Science Association
News Articles
State of Policy, Politics to Take Center Stage at Pair of Conferences
The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences will host two conferences this week that will bring leading scholars to UT Dallas to share research on a range of political topics.The 16th annual State Politics and Policy Conference, which runs today through Saturday, will focus on the relationship between the federal government and states
The Political Violence and Policy Conference, which will take place today and Friday, will explore theories on political violence.
The state politics conference is an annual event of the State Politics and Policy Section of the American Political Science Association (APSA). The conference is expected to draw close to 150 political scientists for sessions focusing on topics including presidential primaries, redistricting, judicial elections and immigration policy. State Rep. Jason Villalba will deliver the keynote speech Friday
Public Forum to Examine Political Unrest in Mideast
UT Dallas’ School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences has scheduled a public forum to discuss the unprecedented wave of political protests breaking out in nations throughout the Middle East and North Africa.Dr. Robert Lowry, program head for political science, organized the forum, which will take place Tuesday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the UT Dallas Conference Center.
Students, faculty and staff members are invited to attend. The event is also open to members of the community who have an interest in the historic changes taking place this year in several nations in Asia and Africa.