The Kenneth Sherrill Prize recognizes the best doctoral dissertation proposal for an empirical study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) topics in political science. The purpose of this prize is to encourage and enable empirical work on LGBT topics by graduate students, and to broaden the recognition of this work within political science.
About the 2020 Winner
Joseph Saraceno is a Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science and International Relations department at the University of Southern California. Joseph Saraceno’s proposed dissertation (Three Essays on the Representation of LGBT Americans) applies a variety of methodologies to the empirical study of LGBT politics and promises to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the representation of LGBT Americans. The first essay applies multiverse analysis to probe whether the size of the LGB population in legislative districts is significantly related to levels of pro-LGB bill sponsorship. The second essay examines support for LGBT rights initiatives in the U.S. Congress by party, political ideology, legislator identity and constituent interests. The third essay uses experimental audits to see if responsiveness to requests for services vary when constituents self-identify as heterosexual or homosexual (and black or white within those categories) across Republican and Democratic officeholders.
APSA thanks the committee members for their service: Gary Mucciaroni (chair), Temple University; Logan Casey, Harvard University; and Gregory Lewis, Georgia State University.
See more Kenneth Sherrill Prize recipients.
Prize Requirements
Applicants must have successfully defended the prospectus for their dissertation, or intend to defend their prospectus by July 31, 2022. To qualify, an applicant’s dissertation prospectus must be an empirical study of LBGT topics; a prospectus in political theory is not eligible for the Kenneth Sherrill Prize.
Each year after receiving the Prize, the Prize committee must receive a report from prior recipients stating if the dissertation has been completed and if so, receive an abstract of the completed dissertation, and if not, a timetable detailing expected trajectory to completion.
Applications for the program should include:
- A curriculum vitae.
- An abstract of the dissertation proposal.
- A copy of the applicant’s dissertation proposal.
- A letter of recommendation from the chair of the applicant’s dissertation committee. The letter must attest that the prospectus will be defended by July 31, 2022.