Skip to main content

Alesha Lewis

Profile picture for Alesha Lewis

Contact Information

608 S Wright St, Urbana, IL 61801
English 158

Research Interests

American politics, political psychology, racial and ethnic politics, biology and politics

Research Description

My work focuses on the effects of Black racial trauma on political behavior for marginalized communities.

Using a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods, I study a) how racism can evoke a trauma response, b) what these responses mean for politically relevant behaviors and cognitions, and c) what steps can be taken to reduce the negative effects of racism to promote post-traumatic growth and community resilience.

Education

B.A. Psychology & Political Science (Southwestern University, 2021)

Awards and Honors

Graduate College Fellowship (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2022)

Outstanding Scholar Award (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate College, Summer Predoctoral Institute, 2022)

APSA Diversity Fellowship (American Political Science Association, Spring 2023)

ISPP Travel Award (International Society for Political Psychology, Summer 2024)

 

 

Courses Taught

PS 101 Introduction to American Government & Politics (Fall 2023)

PS 201 US Racial & Ethnic Politics (Spring 2024)