Brown University Professor Finds That African-American Congressional Representatives Are More Active Than Their Peers in the Legislative Process

Katrina Gamble, an assistant professor of political science at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has conducted a study which shows that black congressional representatives are more active in the legislative process than their white peers. Professor Gamble examined participation in committee sessions and in so-called “markups” where legislative bills are written and edited. She found that black representatives were more active in these sessions on general legislation as well as on legislation that is of particular interest to African Americans.

Professor Gamble is a graduate of Smith College. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in political science from Emory University. At Emory she won the Ted Robinson Award for the best dissertation in minority politics. Dr. Gamble joined the Brown University faculty in 2005.