Meet Justin Zimmerman, UAlbany
Project Title: Black Youth and Changing
Justin Zimmerman is an assistant professor of American politics at UAlbany. His area of concentration is Black politics and Urban politics. His research aims to understand how Black Chicagoans work with institutions and neighbors they distrust to pursue common policy goals – in this case, to remedy state and community violence. His research on trust and coalition building was recently published in Politics, Groups, and Identities, and his current book project will consider the coalitions, motivations, and compromises made by Black Chicagoans in their fight for safer communities. Justin received his PhD from Northwestern University in 2023. He also is a proud alum of the University of Alabama where he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy in 2009 and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in organizational management in 2011. Prior to pursuing a career in academia, Justin resided in Washington, D.C., where he supported the Department of Treasury as an acquisitions consultant with Octo Consulting Group and served in multiple roles with the Department of State.
About the APSA Advancing Research Grants for Early Career Scholars
The APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grants are open to all to provide research support that examines political science phenomena affecting underserved communities and underrepresented groups. In July 2025, APSA awarded 11 projects for the APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grant for Early Career Scholars for a combined total award amount of $22,000. In December 2025, APSA was able to fund an additional five scholars for a combined total award amount of $10,000.
Read about Advancing Research Grants for Early Career Scholars