Chris Gilbert

Christopher P. Gilbert is a Professor of Political Science and director of the Social Studies Teaching major. From 2026 through 2029 he serves as the Dr. James McPherson Endowed Professor of American History. His scholarly and teaching interests center on religion in US politics, elections and political behavior, research methods, constitutional law, and US state and local politics. In 1991 Gilbert won the American Political Science Association’s E.E. Schattschneider Award for best dissertation in the field of American government. He has published four books and multiple scholarly articles and book chapters. At Gustavus he is the recipient of the Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Swenson-Bunn Award for Teaching Excellence, the Faculty Scholarly Achievement Award, and the Faculty Service Award. Gilbert’s classrooms are student-centered and discussion-oriented, working with students to understand the US political system and students’ roles and responsibilities as citizens.