Research

Research by Amanda Loehrke, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, University of California, Davis

I study how individual’s identities shape democratic representation and behavior in American politics. I examine how media environments, gender, race, and ethnicity influence both elite decision making and mass public opinion. Using contemporary, quantitative methods, I want to better understand how identity shapes American politics.

Works in Progress

Dissertation Prospectus

“Who Defines Women Candidates? Self-Presentation, Media Framing, and Voter Perception”

Publications

Jones, Bradford, Amanda Loehrke, & Bianca Vicuña. 2026 (forthcoming). “Latino Immigrant Endorsement of the Criminality Narrative of Detention and Deportation.” PS: Political Science & Politics.

Weinschenk, Aaron C., Amanda Baker, Zoe Betancourt, Vanessa Depies, Nathan Erck, Quinne Herolt, Amanda Loehrke, Cameron Makurat, Hannah Malmberg, Clarice Martell, Jared Novitzke, Bradley Riddle, Tara Sellen, Leah Tauferner, & Emily Zilliox. 2020. “Have State Supreme Court Elections Nationalized?” Justice System Journal, 41(4): 313–322.

Additional Research Experience

Group Politics Lab, UC Davis
Graduate Student Researcher, UC Davis — California Legislative Climate Adaptation Project