Jared McDonald

Assistant Professor University of Mary Washington

  • Fredericksburg VA

Dr. McDonald teaches courses related to American government, political behavior, public policy, and research methodology.

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University of Mary Washington

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Where Will Millennials Take Us?

They’ve been described as entitled, self-centered and shallow. “Selfie-stick wielding, ‘KeepingUp with the Kardashians’-watching, soft-in-the-middle whiners” – Psychology Today. Worldwide, though, millennials (to whom also are attributed awesome characteristics like adaptability and creativity) are 1.8 billion strong, the most populated age group in modern history. And they’re soon to be our political, economic and social leaders. Where will they take us? How will their views shape our world? Jared McDonald’s new book, Citizens of the World, Political Engagement and Policy Attitudes of Millennials Across the Globe, uses data to examine this generation, born into technology, the “war on terror,” global interconnectedness and high unemployment. Published by Barnes & Noble in October 2022, the text looks at millennials’ attitudes about lifestyle, family life, gender roles, politics, religion and the future to better understand how governance might change under their leadership … and the influence they already wield. Millennials are a hot topic ... and for better or worse always in the news it seems as journalists, employers, parents and even professors work to figure this generation out. And if you'd like to know more that where we can help. Published author and Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, Jared McDonald is available to speak with media simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Jared McDonald

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Biography

Jared McDonald is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Mary Washington. He teaches courses related to American government, political behavior, public policy, and research methodology. He earned his Ph.D. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Professor McDonald’s research asks how American voters evaluate politicians and hold them accountable in an environment increasingly characterized by high levels of polarization and strong partisan identities. His work has appeared in The Journal of Politics, Public Administration Review, Political Behavior, American Politics Research, Electoral Studies, The International Journal of Public Opinion Research, Gender & Politics, Politics, Groups, & Identities, and The Journal of Experimental Political Science. Excerpts from this work were also featured in The Washington Post, Politico, Vox, and The Hill.

Areas of Expertise

Research Methodology
Political Psychology
American Government
Public Opinion
Voting and Elections

Accomplishments

TomKat Fellowship in Sustainable Energy, Stanford University

2020-2022

Honorarium, Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement

2021

Dean’s Research Initiative, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

2019

Education

University of Maryland

Ph.D.

Government and Politics

2019

University of Maryland

M.A.

Government and Politics

2015

The George Washington University

B.A.

Political Science & Spanish Language and Literature

2009

Media Appearances

Gen Z app creator hopes to empower a young generation of voters

Bridge Detroit  online

2024-06-18

As people age, they become more integrated into the political process, said Jared McDonald, an assistant professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, who teaches courses related to American government, political behavior and public policy.

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Comment: How to bridge enthusiasm gap for 2024 election

Herald Net  online

2024-03-11

Now that Super Tuesday is over and the Democratic and Republican nominees are all but officially chosen, as everyone expected, voters can turn the page to the general election.

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After Super Tuesday, Exhausted Americans Face 8 More Months of Presidential Campaigning

DC Report  online

2024-03-07

Now that Super Tuesday is over and the Democratic and Republican nominees are all but officially chosen, as everyone expected, voters can turn the page to the general election.

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Articles

Is government escaping blame? the effect of contracting and victim attributes in a prisoner transportation experiment

Public Management Review

2023

By comparing respondent’s perceptions of blame for the death of a prisoner and a non-prisoner, we explore whether the fundamental principle of equal protection under the law is possible. We examine reactions to a vignette experiment that varies whether a prison transport was conducted by a contractor or directly provided by the government, and whether the victim was another prisoner or a bystander. Drawing on literature regarding blame avoidance, citizens blame government less for contracted service failures. In contrast to social identity theory expectations, respondents place greater blame to the government and guards when the victim is a prisoner.

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New voters, new attitudes: how Gen Z Americans rate candidates with respect to generation, gender, and race

Politics, Groups, and Identities

2023

A vast literature discusses the barriers to minority and women representation in politics. We examine whether the youngest generation of Americans, Generation Z, penalizes women and minority candidates. Gen Z has come of age when matters of race and gender have come to the forefront of American politics. Simultaneously, the slate of candidates being offered has grown younger, more diverse, and increasingly female. We investigate the ways in which young Americans approach these candidates using two survey experiments of Generation Z respondents. We find mixed evidence that Gen Z prefers women candidates to men, but consistently find they view Black candidates more favorably than their white counterparts. Notably, Gen Z shows little to no preference for younger candidates.

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Uninspired by Old White Guys: The Mobilizing Factor of Younger, More Diverse Candidates for Gen Z Women

Politics & Gender

2023

American political activism has surged recently among young citizens, particularly among women and people of color. At the same time, record numbers of women and minority candidates have been running for office. Does seeing more diverse candidates in terms of age, gender, and race propel more interest in political engagement among Generation Z, particularly women? Using a survey experiment embedded in a nationally representative survey of Generation Z citizens, we present respondents with Democratic politicians who vary based on these three criteria. Women who identify strongly with their gender express greater political engagement when presented with any candidate who does not fit the stereotypical image of a politician (older, white, male).

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