Donovan A. Watts is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at Indiana University. Watts’ research interests include Black politics, racial and ethnic politics, political behavior, and political socialization. He has a particular focus on the political behavior and political socialization of Black millennials. His dissertation asks: to what extent has Black millennials’ racialized socialization impacted their political attitudes and policy preferences? Watts argues that salient events around race have a strong influence on the political behaviors of Black millennials compared to Black non-millennials (older African Americans).
In addition, Watts has demonstrated a commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion in academia which is highlighted by his work as former President of the Political Science Grad Student Association (PGSGA), his role as a graduate student emissary, and being a graduate affiliate of the Center for Research on Race & Ethnicity in Society (CRRES). Furthermore, Watts is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships throughout his graduate career.
The College of Arts