Sharyn O'Halloran

Sharyn O'Halloran, associate professor of political science and international affairs at Columbia University, and David Epstein, associate professor of political science at Columbia University, will write a book that analyzes the impact of race-based districting on racial representation in Congress and on public policy. Epstein and O'Halloran will explore how districting strategies impact the ability of minority groups to affect the passage of legislation at both the national and state levels. Their preliminary research shows that whereas racially segregated districts were once the linchpin of minority empowerment, they may now undermine the possibility of coalition building, the key to legislative success.