Chris Gilbert

Dr. Chris Gilbert, professor of political science, teaches courses on U.S. politics, religion and politics, political parties, research methods, state and local government, and a First Term Seminar on the Manhattan Project. His research interests focus on religion and politics in the United States, American third parties, and Minnesota politics. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles and book chapters as well as four books.  His latest book, The Political Influence of American Churches (Cambridge University Press), due out in 2008, is based on a two-year study of political activity among ELCA and Episcopal clergy and congregation members; this study was jointly conducted with Dr. Paul Djupe (Gustavus class of 1993), Denison University. Gilbert is the recipient of two all-campus outstanding teaching awards from Gustavus students and faculty. Since 1992 he has served as a national and state political analyst for Minnesota Public Radio, and he also offers political analysis for WCCO radio, the Star-Tribune and Pioneer Press, and some national media outlets. He was selected as a Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow for 1995-96, and has spoken at several Humphrey Institute conferences and symposiums. Gilbert received his B.A. degree in 1986 from Moravian College, located in his hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1990. His doctoral dissertation, Religious Environments and Political Actors, received the 1991 E.E. Schattschneider Award from the American Political Science Association, for the outstanding dissertation in the field of American government.