Disrupting Political Science: Black Women Reimagining the Discipline

by Angela Katrina Lewis-Maddox (Editor)

Overview

Nineteen Black women in political science share their personal and professional journeys, shedding light on the state of the discipline—and how it needs to change.

This volume brings to the fore Black women's experiences of, and contributions to, political science-a field that never intended to view them as subjects worthy of study and certainly not as professors. Disrupting Political Science demonstrates how Black women blend creative resistance and self-care to overcome obstacles and navigate the discipline's hegemonic demands. Representing a range of career stages and types of institutions, the nineteen contributors share stories of trauma and triumph, as well as concrete guidance rooted in Black feminist literature and reports on the profession. A witty, searing, sometimes heart-wrenching catalyst to reimagine political science, Disrupting Political Science is essential reading for everyone in the discipline and for faculty and administrators across the university committed to recruiting and retaining Black women.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798855800869
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	02/01/2025
Series:	SUNY series in Black Women's Wellness
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Angela K. Lewis-Maddox is the Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Nikol G. Alexander-Floyd

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction
Angela K. Lewis-Maddox

2. She's Not a REAL Political Scientist
Terri R. Jett

3. That's Not Political Science: Disrupting "Traditional" Political Science Inquiries
Lakeyta M. Bonnette-Bailey

4. Setting Political Science to a Different Tune: Reflections on the Role of Black Women as Rhythm Disrupters
Desireé R. Melonas

5. The Absence of Rational Resources: How a Black Woman's Presence Redefines the Discipline's Norms
Sherice Janaye Nelson

6. Cultivating Joy in Academia
Adaugo Pamela Nwakanma

7. The Impact of Active and Passive Representation in the Field of Public Administration: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
Stephanie A. Pink-Harper

8. When the Discipline Disciplines: Stories of a Black Female Political Scientist
Julia S. Jordan-Zachery

9. Transforming Political Science: Founding the Transnational Black Womxn Scholars of African Politics Research Network
Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, T. D. Harper-Shipman, Kira Tait, Robin L. Turner, and Tara Jones

10. The Duality of Disruption: Black Women in Midwestern White Liberal Arts Institutions
Clarissa Peterson

11. Truth Telling: The Limits of Institutional Liberalism, Neutrality, Objectivity, and Meritocracy
Angela K. Lewis-Maddox

12. On Becoming a Black Woman Political Scientist: Rising to the Rank of Full Professor at a Major R1 Institution
Evelyn M. Simien

13. Racial Discrimination and the Harassment of African American Women in Academia
Sharon D. Wright Austin

14. A Black Unicorn in the Academe: A Testimonial of a Black Feminist Scholar in the Field of Political Science
Caroline Shenaz Hossein

15. Journey of a Young Black Woman Political Scientist
Lauhren Olivia McCoy

16. A Word of Advice to the Doctoral Sisters Who Just Graduated: Leave Hungry, Not Starving
Ashley C. J. Daniels

Contributors
Index

Editorial Reviews

"A comprehensive history of the profession by one of the most marginalized groups in our discipline. This volume is an incredibly important contribution to political science and a tool for empowering Black women across the academy. Disrupting Political Science will give countless scholars an invaluable resource as they consider pursuing a PhD, prepare their tenure and promotion materials, and mentor others." — Stefanie Chambers, author of Somalis in the Twin Cities and Columbus: Immigrant Incorporation in New Destinations

"If the discipline of political science seeks to do more than simply pay lip service to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, then we need to hear Black women speak—in their own voices—so that we understand our sins and can work to be better. The stories and perspectives in this volume can and should move us closer to meeting our potential, both as scholars and as people." — Ray Block Jr., coauthor of Black Networks Matter: The Role of Interracial Contact and Social Media in the 2020 Black Lives Matter Protests

From the Publisher