Meet Thomas Benson, 2020 First Generation Scholar in the Profession

Thomas Benson is a Ph.D. Candidate in the department of Political Science & International Relations at the University of Delaware. His research is focused on environmental and ecological justice, sustainability, urban governance, and smart cities. He obtained an MA in Political Science & International Relations at the University of Delaware in 2019, and an LLB (Law) at the University of Leeds (UK) in 2016. 

About the APSA First Generation Scholar in the Profession Accessibility Grant
In 2015, the APSA Executive Council approved a new standing Committee on First Generation Higher Education Scholars in the Profession, parallel to the existing APSA status committees. The goal is to bring focused attention to the ways in which class, economic inequality, and mobility can affect political scientists’ ability to thrive educationally and professionally, perhaps throughout their careers. The APSA Committee on the Status of First Generation Scholars matched contributions that were made to the APSA Annual Fund during one week in October 2020 to support the professional development support of first gen scholars in the profession. Learn more.