Dr. Matthew O. Thomas

Event held on November 28, 2016
Keynote Speaker, Dr. Matthew O. Thomas

Reforming New Orleans – The Contentious Politics of Change in the Big Easy

The colloquium was held in the BMU Auditorium on Monday, November 28.

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Faculty Colloquium Series congratulates Dr. Matthew O. Thomas, Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, for being selected as this year’s honored scholar and keynote speaker. Dr. Thomas’s speech titled “Reforming New Orleans – The Contentious Politics of Change in the Big Easy” is an extension of his recently published book from of the same name coauthored with Peter F. Burns (Cornell University Press, 2015).  His keynote speech will address the recovery and reform of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in four key areas: economic development, education, housing, and law enforcement. Dr. Thomas’s talk will have a broad appeal to those interested in areas of race and ethnicity, economics, criminal justice, social class, local government, and child development, among others.

Dr. Thomas is the author of over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports. His research interests range from issues of campus policing, perceptions on guns, the effects of AB 109 on local counties, and the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans. 

Please join the dean's office in congratulating Dr. Thomas.