Andre P. Audette

I am what you might call a lifelong politics nerd.

In kindergarten, my claim to fame was that I could name all of the U.S. presidents in order, so studying political science was a natural fit for me. (But don’t worry, naming presidents is not a prerequisite for taking political science classes!)

What I find truly fascinating about politics is that it is all around us; it affects everyday choices – the foods we eat, the people we associate with, and how we see the world.

I am a political scientist because I enjoy exploring how politics shapes our identities and our communities. I hope to inspire students to think about these connections and then apply them to their own diverse interests.

I am the pre-law advisor on campus and am available to consult on law school applications, legal careers and internships, course schedules, or any other pre-law needs. Please contact me if you would like to be added to our pre-law email list with announcements about events and advising updates.

My legal interests are in constitutional law, especially controversial issues arising under the First Amendment. Part of my graduate school training was in religion jurisprudence, constitutional interpretation and comparative constitutional law. I love teaching courses on law and help coordinate our Moot Court competition.

My main areas of teaching and research are within American politics, focusing on political behavior, identity politics and political inequality, especially among religious groups and racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.

In my research, I often draw on three major themes: (1) how individuals, especially those from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups, gain political voice; (2) how churches and other linkage institutions mobilize members for political action; and (3) how inequality is reflected in political institutions and affected by a range of public policies.

Ph.D. – University of Notre Dame, 2016

M.A. – University of Notre Dame, 2013

B.A. – University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), 2011