Paula D. McClain, dean of the Graduate School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has been named the next president of the American Political Science Association. She will serve as president-elect for the 2018-2019 academic year and then as president for the following year. The association is the most prestigious academic organization in the field of political science. It has more than 12,000 members.
Professor McClain was named dean of the Graduate School in 2012. She is also vice provost for graduate education and a professor of political science and public policy. Dr. McClain conducts research about racial minority group politics, particularly inter-minority political and social competition, and urban politics.
Professor McClain has been on the faculty at Duke University since 2000. She is the co-author of American Government in Black and White (Oxford University Press, Second Edition, 2013) and Can We All Get Along? Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics (Westview Press, Sixth Edition, 2013). Dr. McClain holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in political science, all from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Dr. McClain is past president of the Midwest Political Science Association, a past vice president of the American Political Science Association, a past president of the Southern Political Science Association and a past president of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists.