#  Nicholas Conroy (APRW) 

 



####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **December 2, 2025** 

 12:00PM - 02:00PM EST 

####  pin\_drop Location 

 **CGIS Knafel room K354**  



 

 [ Join via Zoom arrow\_circle\_right ](https://harvard.zoom.us/j/99320596113) 

 



 

### Speaker & Title

Nicholas Conroy, "Governing by Degrees: Educational Backgrounds and Legislative Success”

### Abstract

Are more educated lawmakers better at governing? While lawmakers without college degrees are underrepresented at every level of government, few scholars have examined the consequences of this disparity. Drawing on an original dataset of state legislators’ educational backgrounds, as well as comprehensive data on 1.5 million bills introduced between 2000 and 2018, I demonstrate that lawmakers with greater levels of education are more successful at advancing bills through the legislative process. Importantly, this result is mediated by party and decreases over time: Democratic (but not Republican) lawmakers without college degrees are less effective at passing legislation than their college-educated peers, but this effectiveness gap has largely vanished in recent years. The results suggest that a college degree provides an advantage in lawmaking, but that other factors can offset a lack of formal education.



 

The American Politics Research Workshop (Gov 3004) meets all academic year, Tuesdays, 12:00–2:00 PM, in CGIS K354. This workshop presents an opportunity for graduate students and Harvard faculty to present and receive feedback on their current research. The workshop highlights key theoretical and empirical findings from Harvard affiliates on topics related to American politics.

All interested Harvard affiliates are invited to attend. Lunch will be provided.



 

 



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