Greg Thorson

Ken and Lynn Hall Endowed Chair of Public Policy · Professor of Government

Department of Government · Hall of Letters 306
University of Redlands · 1200 East Colton Avenue · Redlands, CA 92373
Office: (909) 748-8636 · Cell: (909) 647-7455
Greg_Thorson@redlands.edu
Blog: www.thepolicyscientist.com

Greg Thorson is the Ken and Lynn Hall Endowed Chair of Public Policy and Professor of Government at the University of Redlands. His work focuses on public policy, education policy, and health care policy, with a strong emphasis on quantitative methods and causal inference. His research examines the consequences of economic inequality, school finance reforms, and the "politics and policies of despair," and he regularly connects empirical findings to live policy debates through legislative testimony, media commentary, and public scholarship. He is also the founder and co-director of the University of Redlands MPPA program and the creator of the University's undergraduate Public Policy major.

Research & Teaching Specialties

Public Policy Education Policy Health Care Policy Economic Inequality Quantitative Methods Causal Inference Program Evaluation

Academic Program Development

A defining feature of Professor Thorson's career at the University of Redlands has been the creation of two academic programs from the ground up — an unusual record of entrepreneurial leadership in higher education.

Co-Creator & Co-Director — Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) · 2021–Present

Co-designed and launched the University of Redlands MPPA program with colleague Peter Groff, receiving a Dean's Academic Opportunities Project Grant to support its creation. The program was built around a HyFlex instructional model supporting simultaneous in-person and remote participation — increasing access for working professionals while preserving pedagogical rigor. Now serves as co-director, overseeing curriculum, admissions, and program operations.

Creator & Director — Undergraduate Public Policy Major · 2013–2019

Designed and launched the University of Redlands' interdisciplinary undergraduate major in Public Policy — the first of its kind at the institution. Served as founding director for six years, building curriculum, recruiting students, and establishing the program's identity and external partnerships. Presented the program's creation at the Spring Conference of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) in 2014.

Academic & Administrative Positions

Faculty Positions

2008–Present

Ken and Lynn Hall Endowed Chair of Public Policy University of Redlands

2010–Present

Professor of Government University of Redlands

2001–2008

Associate Professor of Political Science University of Minnesota, Morris

1995–2001

Assistant Professor of Political Science University of Minnesota, Morris

Administrative Roles

2021–Present

Co-Creator and Co-Director, MPPA Program University of Redlands

2013–2019

Creator and Director, Public Policy Major (Undergraduate) University of Redlands

1996–2007

Chair, Political Science Department University of Minnesota, Morris

Education

1995

Ph.D., Political Science — University of California, Riverside Major areas: American Political Institutions; American Political Processes. Minor: Research Methods. Dissertation Adviser: Barbara Sinclair. Graduated Summa Cum Laude.

1993

M.A., Political Science — University of California, Riverside

1988

B.A., Political Science — Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Presidential Scholarship recipient.

Public Scholarship & Communication

The Policy Scientist · Founder and Editor, 2024–Present

A research-based public policy platform synthesizing peer-reviewed findings for academic, professional, and policymaking audiences. Features extended article reviews curated from leading policy and economics journals, emphasizing causal inference, evidence quality, and the substantive implications of research for education, health, and social policy. Website: www.thepolicyscientist.com

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles & Book Chapters

Thorson, Gregory R. and Sera M. Gearhart. 2019. "Do Enhanced Funding Policies Targeting Students in Poverty Close Achievement Gaps? Evidence from the American States, 1990–2015." Journal of Poverty & Public Policy 11: 205–221. doi:10.1002/pop4.253
Thorson, Gregory R. and Sera M. Gearhart. 2018. "The Adverse Effects of Economic Inequality on Educational Outcomes: An Examination of PISA Scores, 2000–2015." World Affairs (September): 1–21. doi:10.1177/0043820018799425
Thorson, Gregory R. 2015. "Should You Choose a Career in Public Policy?" In Kishor Vaidya (ed.), Public Policy for the Curious: Why Study Public Policy. Curious Academic Publishing.
Thorson, Gregory R. and Matthew H. Gutierrez. 2012. "Using Clickers to Enhance the Classroom Experience." The Western 4(1): 5–13.
Thorson, Gregory R., Tasina Nitzschke, and Nicholas J. Maxwell. 2007. "Testing the Three Theories of Legislative Organization: An Examination of Rule Assignments during the Postreform Period." Congress and the Presidency 34(2): 23–34.
Stambough, Stephen J. and Gregory R. Thorson. 1999. "Towards Stability in Presidential Forecasting: The Development of a Multiple Indicator Model." International Journal of Forecasting 15: 143–152.
Thorson, Gregory R. 1998. "Divided Government and the Passage of Partisan Legislation, 1947–1990." Political Research Quarterly 51(3): 751–764.
Thorson, Gregory R. and Stephen J. Stambough. 1995. "Anti-Incumbency and the 1992 Elections: The Changing Face of Presidential Coattails." Journal of Politics 57(1): 210–220.

Selected Policy Reports & Community-Based Research

Thorson, Gregory R. and Matthew H. Gutierrez. 2012. "Should We Wait for Superman? Evaluating the Performance of Charter Schools in the Greater Los Angeles Area." Final grant report published by the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation.
Thorson, Gregory R. et al. 2008. "Towards a Better Understanding of Rural Homelessness: An Examination of Housing Crisis in a Small, Rural Minnesota Community." Center for Small Towns.
Thorson, Gregory R. and Jessica Anderson. 2006. "The Minnesota Miracle Abandoned? Changes in Minnesota School Funding, 2001–2007." Rural Minnesota Journal.
Thorson, Gregory R. and Zoe Wong. 2004. "Resource Distribution and Rural Minnesota Schools." Consortium Connections.

Work in Progress

Thorson, Gregory R. and David Palmer. "Does Inequality Hinder Growth? A Causal Analysis with Fixed Effects." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, April 2026. Targeting Political Research Quarterly.
Thorson, Gregory R. and Sam Illich. "Can Public Options Lower ACA Marketplace Premiums? Evidence from Washington's Cascade Care." Abstract submitted to the APPAM Fall Research Conference.

Selected Grants & Fellowships

Dean's Academic Opportunities Project Grant

2021–2022 · Awarded

To create a new Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Ken and Lynn Hall Policy Network Research Fellow

2022–2023 · Awarded

Project on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education.

Ken and Lynn Hall Policy Network Scholarly Seed Grants

2018, 2019 · Awarded

Projects on the politics and policies of despair and on the effectiveness of school finance reforms in closing achievement gaps.

Haynes Foundation Faculty Fellowship Grant

2011–2012 · Awarded

"Should We Wait for Superman? Evaluating the Performance of Charter Schools in the Greater Los Angeles Area."

Otto Bremer Foundation Grant

2006–2007 · $44,000 Awarded

Supporting the formation of a Health Care Purchasing Alliance in a 12-county region of West Central Minnesota.

HUD Community Outreach Partnership Centers (COPC) Program

2005–2008 · $400,000+ Awarded

Supported projects improving housing quality in the Morris, MN area.

Additional grants from university, state, and foundation sources available in the full curriculum vitae.

Teaching

Graduate Courses (MPPA)

Public Policy Analysis
Regression & Causal Inference
Program Evaluation

Education Policy
Health Care Policy
Integrating Research Findings into Practice

Undergraduate Courses

First Year Seminar: The High Social Costs of Rising Economic Inequality
Comparative Public Policy (Salzburg, 2022 & 2025)
American National Government and Politics
Applied Data Analysis in the Social Sciences
Advanced Data Analysis in the Social Sciences

Introduction to Public Policy Analysis
Education Policy
Health Care Policy
Advanced Seminars: Presidential and Judicial Policymaking
POLI 257: May Term in Washington, DC

Selected University Service

2026–27Faculty Senate, Personnel Policies Committee
2023–25Faculty Senate, Personnel Policies Committee (Chair)
2021–22MPPA Program Development Committee (Chair)
2019–21Faculty Senate, Budget and Planning Committee (Chair, 2019–20)
2013–19Director, Public Policy Program
2011–13Chair, Committee on Academic Planning and Standards (CAPS)
2011–12WASC Steering Committee; University Assembly Steering Committee

Legislative Testimony

Delivered testimony before the Minnesota Legislature on multiple occasions on health care and education finance legislation, including testimony before the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee; House Health and Human Services Committee; House Health Care Policy Committee; Senate E-12 Education Finance Committee; and a joint session on unicameral legislature reform.

Selected Media Coverage

California coverage (selected):

Date	Media Outlet	Topic
2/22/11	San Bernardino Sun	Federal Health Care Reform
1/4/11	Contra Costa Times	Politics in the 112th Congress
10/23/10	Riverside Press-Enterprise	Charter Schools
3/24/10	Contra Costa Times	Federal Health Care Reform
1/19/10	Riverside Press-Enterprise	State Economy

Minnesota radio coverage included regular appearances on WCCO (the top-rated station in Minnesota by Arbitron), Air America, Cities 97, and KXRA, as well as print coverage in the Wall Street Journal, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and St. Paul Pioneer Press. Full media list available in the complete curriculum vitae.

Peer Review Activity

American Journal of Political Science
American Political Science Review
Congress and the Presidency
Education Finance and Policy
Journal of Politics
Journal of Public Affairs
Legislative Studies Quarterly
Nature
Political Research Quarterly
Research in Comparative and International Education

Teaching Nominations & Awards

Nominated for University of Redlands Mortar Board Professor of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Nominated for University of Redlands Faculty Award for Outstanding Service: 2012, 2013
Nominated for University of Minnesota at Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award: 2002, 2006

Professional Memberships

APPAM APSA American Economic Association AERA Association for Education Finance and Policy

University disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Redlands.
Date Last Modified: June 2026