As the westernmost institution in the University of North Carolina System, WCU attracts students from around the globe for its nationally ranked programs, affordability through NC Promise and exceptional student support. Recognized as a top adventure college and surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, students can explore the region's vast natural diversity through unrivaled experiential learning and recreational activities. Offering residential, hybrid and online programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees at our main campus in Cullowhee, WCU in Asheville located at Biltmore Park, and wherever students are through distance learning.

Western Carolina University

New Row

Contact expert @[Full Name](fullname), @[Job Title](job_title) at @[Organization](organization) for media, speaking, professional opportunities and more.

@[Full Name](fullname) at @[Organization](organization) | Contact Form

Expert Inquiry

Open Sans

Board of Governors Teaching Award

2013 - Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

North Carolina Professor of the Year

University Scholar

Heritage Versus Hate: Assessing Opinions in the Debate over Confederate Monuments and Memorials

Innumeracy and State Legislative Salaries

Switching sides but still fighting the Civil War in southern politics

North Carolina’s close senate race is a puzzle in a purple state

Analysis and comparison of lateral head impacts using various golf discs and a Hybrid III head form

The most important scarce resources in politics are time and attention. Sure, money matters, but savvy poli­ticians can always work their networks to seed, find, or harvest more money. No amount of political savvy or con­nections can generate more time or attention.

The Politics of Health Communications

The New Politics of North Carolina

The Resilience of Southern Identity: Why the South Still Matters in the Minds of Its People

Elections and Behavior

Southern Politics

State & Local Politics

Christopher A. Cooper is the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. He has received Western Carolina University’s highest awards for research (University Scholar, 2011) and teaching (Board of Governors Teaching Award, 2013) and was named the 2013 North Carolina Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Cooper’s published academic research features more than 50 refereed journal articles and book chapters on N.C. politics, state politics, southern politics, political behavior and behavioral public administration. He is also co-author of "The Resilience of Southern Identity: Why the South Still Matters in the Minds of its People" (University of North Carolina Press) and co-editor of "The New Politics of North Carolina" (published by the University of North Carolina Press).

Cooper is a frequent source for news stories about North Carolina, as well as national politics and he has been quoted hundreds of times in a variety of media including The New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Herald, Al Jazeera, Charlotte Observer, Asheville-Citizen Times, The Hill, National Journal, Raleigh News and Observer, North Carolina Insider, National Public Radio (All Things Considered and Morning Edition), USA Today, CNN, FOX News, WUNC, Blue Ridge Public Radio, WFAE (Charlotte) ABC News and ESPN.com.

Election Administration

Public Administration

American Politics

Parties, Campaigns and Elections

State and Local Government

Research Methods

English

Western Carolina University Faculty Profile

Personal Website

The University of North Carolina Press Author Page

Google Scholar Citations

Stakes in Griffin-Riggs case go beyond battle for one NC Supreme Court seat

In contested Supreme Court race, NC Republicans test their ability to overturn an election

'Extending an olive branch': Stein, GOP work together toward bipartisan goals

Comparing last Tuesday’s elections to 2017

60K disputed North Carolina ballots may be thrown out if not cured

Political expert warns Trump's tariff strategy could lead to inflation

Purple reign: NC’s history of split-ticket voting is ‘democracy working’

Opinion: Have Chuck Edwards and other members of Congress abdicated their role as a check on President Trump?

Why Thom Tillis Shouldn’t Worry About the Primary

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards addresses tense town hall in Asheville, North Carolina

'I'd do it again': NC congressman downplays events of Asheville town hall, plans to hold more

NC lawmaker rejects Apex's invitation after 'inappropriate' emails, profane voicemails from town employee

City officials attended meetings where NCDOT revealed I-26 flyover plan

NC Republicans move fast on DOGE, DEI, Helene, immigration. How 2025 session is playing out.

Congressman Chuck Edwards to hold town hall at A-B Tech on March 13

Jackson County moves to make school board elections partisan

NC Attorney General joins multi-state lawsuit to secure federal aid for hurricane recovery

Which parts of NC got redder? Bluer? Explore voting trends in 4 maps and a chart

A decision by NC counties to accept dead voters’ ballots upsets some, unites others

Upon further review: Commission finds that NC elections suffer from deficits and distrust

Why redistricting reform fails. Why NC lawmakers keep trying. And trying.

With Biden-appointed US Attorney gone, what is future of NC GOP spending probe?

JD Vance Says He Doesn't Need To Prepare for Debate With Tim Walz

NC Race for Governor Tight

Population-Growth Patterns Paint Grim Picture for Democrats

Would term limits help fix our political system?

What the latest polling numbers tell us about the North Carolina race for governor

How redistricting affects local candidates and voting districts

Local political analyst weighs in on State of the Union address

NC Gov. Roy Cooper, facing end of term, ups his profile as Biden surrogate

About that New York Times/Siena Poll

Thousands register for new 'No Labels' party. Could they be unaffiliated voters making a mistake?

Republicans flex muscles to maintain power in closely divided North Carolina and Wisconsin

NC county boards of elections offer free voter identification for November elections

The Unbelievably Bonkers Conspiracy Theorist Running For Governor Of North Carolina

Gov. Cooper for VP? Experts say no, but another office might be in sight

North Carolina redistricting ruling could be big win for Republicans in Congress

With new abortion restrictions set to take effect in NC, many wonder -- what's next?

As NC abortion bill advances, eyes shift to 2024 governor's race

Political expert weighs in on Biden campaign as age, polling numbers come into question

Theresa Opeka: What Cotham’s switch to the GOP means for NC Democrats

Gov. Cooper signs long-awaited Medicaid expansion bill into law

The Lead CNN

Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science & Public Affairs and Director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy

US Elections | Comments from WCU expert Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper interviewed about voting in NC

Chris Cooper | ExpertFile

This is the first 2-minute video in the ‘My IT’ series, brought to you by Western Carolina University’s Division of Information Technology, to showcase the meaningful collaborations between IT and campus faculty, staff, and students to invest in the University’s commitment to create learning opportunities that incorporate teaching, research, and engagement through on campus, off campus, and on-line experiences.

My IT: Chris Cooper on Reaching WCU Students Everywhere

In this edition of "Catamount Connections", MPA student Lance Morsell talks with Chris Cooper, Professor, and Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, about the local government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Catamount Connections | Chris Cooper and Lance Morsell

I Love WCU Month - Chris Cooper

Duke University's Center for Politics (Polis) interviews Chris Cooper, the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs at Western Carolina University.  Dr. Cooper is an expert on state politics, North Carolina politics, Southern politics, and elections.  Polis is part of the Sanford School of Public Policy.

Politics Expert Chris Cooper Discusses Swing State North Carolina

One Day Away - WCU's Chris Cooper Breaks Down What's Left on the Campaign Trail. 

Christopher A. Cooper is the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. He is also an 

One Day Away - WCU's Chris Cooper Breaks Down What's Left on the Campaign Trail.

Select Inquiry Type