James R G Kirk_CV_2025_2026_1.pdf
James R.G. Kirk,
Ph.D. Student
Bio
James earned his BS in Political Science and Economics, graduating with honors in both, from Frostburg State University. Prior to attending Notre Dame, he worked as a congressional campaign staffer and in higher education advancement at his alma mater.
James’ current research projects examine political trust among rural Americans and the relationship between representation and place-based resentment. His previous work on religion and the 2020 election has been published in The Forum, and his research on public opinion of instability and how it links to government prioritization of military spending was published in Issues in Political Economy.
Education
Ph.D. in Political Science (American Politics; Comparative Politics), 2025 University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, In. Notebaert Premier Fellow
BS in Political Science and Economics, May 2018 Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD Summa cum laude, GPA: 4.0/4.0
Employment
Visiting Assistant Professor, Smith College (Northampton, MA.), July 2025 - present
Frostburg State University, Office of University Advancement (Frostburg, MD) Development Officer, August 2018-July 2020
Roger Manno for Congress (Cumberland, MD) Western Maryland Field Coordinator, March 2018-June 2018 Office of United States
Senator Ben Cardin (Washington, DC) Legislative Intern, May 2017-July 2017
American Society for Civil Engineers, Government Relations Office (Washington, DC) Government Relations Intern, May 2016-August 2016
Law Firm of Hidey, Coyle, and Monteleone (Cumberland, MD) Legal Intern, December 2014-January 2015, December 2015-January 2016