I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where I direct the Legislative Internship Program. I received my Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, in 2022.
My research focuses on race, representation, and political inequality in American politics.
I am especially interested in how racial and ethnic minorities participate in the political process and shape public policy through lobbying, coalition-building, and civic engagement. My current book project examines racial minority interest groups as important vehicles of political representation for marginalized communities.
At Trinity, I direct the Lab on Civic and Democratic Participation, affectionately known as the “Dang Gang,” which brings undergraduate students into collaborative research on voter turnout, political representation, lobbying, and civic participation.
One major focus of the lab is the Hartford Voter Captains Project, a community-centered voter mobilization initiative supported by the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation and other civic engagement grants. The project examines how trusted community members can mobilize their social networks and increase civic participation among marginalized racial and ethnic communities in Hartford, while also giving Trinity students opportunities to work with community partners, conduct applied research, and contribute to local efforts to strengthen democratic participation.
Before pursuing my doctorate, I spent a formative year as a Senate Fellow in the California State Senate, an experience that helped shape my interest in legislatures, representation, and policymaking.
Nhat-Dang Do 