Wouter van Erve
Interests:
My research interests are located in the fields of American politics and Public Law. I am particularly interested in representation and the role of governing institutions in the realm of local politics, and in the influence of legislative changes on representation and voter disenfranchisement on the national stage. Topics I enjoy teaching include, but are not limited to American politics, public law and constitutional law, and legal studies.
Program: Political Science
Bio
I am currently in my final year as a Ph.D. student at UMass Amherst (expecting to finish in March of 2018), with my major subfields being American Politics and Public Law. Before enrolling in graduate school, I earned law degrees in both The Netherlands and the United States and worked for the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (District Attorney's Office).
My main research interests are located on the intersection of law and politics: how do laws and other institutions affect how citizens are able to participate in political life? How can political participation—specifically, on a local level—be encouraged? These are questions that I address in my research, and try to get my students to think about as well.
I very much enjoy working with students in the classes for which I am a Teaching Assistant. Students who are considering applying to law school or graduate school are more than welcome to reach out to me, and I will be more than happy to advise when and where I can and make sure they are well-prepared for the next stage in their professional or academic careers.
Degree/Education
Education:
- LL.M., 2010, University of Minnesota Law School;
- LL.M., 2009, Tilburg University, The Netherlands;
- LL.B., 2008, Tilburg University, The Netherlands.
Degree:
- LL.M., 2010, University of Minnesota Law School;
- LL.M., 2009, Tilburg University, The Netherlands;
- LL.B., 2008, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
Courses Taught
- Law in Film and TV (TO) (Spring 2016)
- Introduction to Constitutional Law (TO) (Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Fall 2017)
- Introduction to Legal Studies (TA)
- Introduction to American Politics (TA)
- American Politics Through Film (TA)
Grants
|
2016 |
Dissertation Research Grant, Graduate School, UMass Amherst ($1,000). |
|
2015 |
Summer Language and Training Grant, Department of Political Science, UMass Amherst ($2,500). |
|
2015 |
Prestage-Cook Travel Award, Southern Political Science Association ($250). |
|
2015 |
Conference Travel Grant, Department of Political Science, UMass Amherst ($300) |
|
2013 |
Summer Research and Writing Grant, Department of Political Science, UMass Amherst ($2,500). |
|
2013 |
Conference Travel Grant, Department of Political Science, UMass Amherst ($400). |
Publications
Papers under Peer Review:
Cuevas-Molina, Ivelisse, Tatishe M. Nteta, Brian F. Schaffner & Wouter Van Erve. “The Conditional Effects of Latino Candidates and Partisanship on Latino Turnout.” Submitted to Journal of Politics.
Other Publications:
• "Don't Romanticize Town Meeting Democracy in Amherst" (op-ed with Ray La Raja), Amherst Bulletin, June 5, 2015.
• "How Ferguson Exposes the Racial Bias in Local Elections" (blog post with Brian Schaffner and Ray La Raja), The Washington Post/Monkey Cage, August 15, 2014.
• "Ray LaRaja & Wouter Van Erve: How representative, really, is Amherst Town Meeting?" (op-ed with Ray La Raja), Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 10, 2014.
• Bruggeman, W., Fijnaut, C.J.C.F., Sievers, L., Spapens, A.C.M., & Erve, W. van. 2008. The role of the police worldwide in the containment of the illegal production, the illegal trade and the illegal possession of small arms and light weapons. Zoetermeer: Korps Landelijke Politiediensten.
Teaching
Courses Taught:
• PS 162: Introduction to Constitutional Law (Spring, Fall 2015)
• LS 297-TV: Law in Film and TV (Spring, Summer 2016 (online))
Courses for which I have been a Teaching Assistant:
• American Politics 101 (Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Spring 2013)
• American Politics Through Film (Spring 2012)
• Introduction to Legal Studies (Fall 2013, Fall 2014)