Professor Evans received her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1980.  Her research interests are in the U.S. Congress, with a focus on pork barrel politics within Congress itself and congressional elections.  Her book, Greasing the Wheels: Using Pork Barrel Projects to Build Majority Coalitions in Congress, won the won the American Political Science Association’s 2005 Richard F. Fenno Prize for best book in legislative politics.  Her current research is on the effect of pork barrel projects on congressional elections.

In her courses, Professor Evans focuses on both real-world American politics and the theoretical tools to help students see patterns in complex political processes. Analysis of politicians’ strategic behavior within American political institutions is central to her courses in American Political Parties and Congress.  She is also Director of the Trinity College Legislative Internship Program, which sends students to the Connecticut General Assembly each spring to work with legislators.  In this exciting program, students complement their classroom learning with direct experience in politics, policymaking, and governance.

Books:

• Stefanie Chambers, Diana Evans, Anthony M. Messina, and Abigail Fisher Williamson, eds. The Politics of New Immigrant Destinations Transatlantic Perspectives. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2017.
• Evans, Diana. Greasing the Wheels: The Use of Pork Barrel Projects to Build Majority Coalitions in Congress. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

Journal Articles:

• Evans, Diana."Shock to the System: Latino Political Trust, Pre- and Post- 9/11” with Joseph Stewart and Robert D. Wrinkle, Rio Bravo, forthcoming.
• Evans, Diana. "Core Beliefs and Abortion Attitudes: A Look at Latinos," with Sean Bolks, J.L. Polinard, and Robert D. Wrinkle, Social Science Quarterly, Spring, 2000.
• Evans, Diana. "Before the Roll Call: Interest Group Lobbying and Public Policy Outcomes in House Committees." Political Research Quarterly Vol. 49, no. 2 (June 1996): 287-304.
• Evans, Diana. "Policy and Pork: The Use of Pork Barrel Projects to Build Policy Coalitions in the House of Representatives." American Journal of Political Science Vol. 38, no. 4 (November 1994): 894-917.
• Evans, Diana. "Congressional Oversight and the Diversity of Members' Goals." Political Science Quarterly Vol. 109, no. 4 (Fall 1994).
• Evans, Diana. "Oil PACs and Aggressive Contribution Strategies," Journal of Politics Vol. 50, no. 4 (November 1988).
• Evans, Diana. "Sunbelt v. Frostbelt: The Evolution of Regional Conflict over Federal Aid to Cities in the House of Representatives." Social Science Quarterly, (March 1986).
• Evans, Diana. "House Members' Communication Styles: Newsletters and Press Releases." Journal of Politics, (November 1982). (Published as Diana Evans Yiannakis).
• Evans, Diana. "The Grateful Electorate: Casework and Congressional Elections." American Journal of Political Science, (August 1981).  (Published as Diana Evans Yiannakis).

• Research Fellow, Center for the Study of American Politics, Yale University, 2005-2006.
• Richard F. Fenno, Jr. Prize for best book in legislative studies published in 2004; awarded by the Legislative Studies Section, American Political Science Association, Sept. 2, 2005.
• Faculty research expense grant, Trinity College, 2005-2008.
• Faculty research grant and leave extension, Trinity College, Spring 2001.
• Donovan Prize for best faculty paper presented at the 1995 meeting of the New England Political Science Association, May, 1996
• Faculty research grant and leave, Trinity College, Spring, 1996.
• Dirksen Congressional Center Congressional Research Grant, 1990-91.
• Faculty Research Committee summer grant, 1991.
• Faculty Research Committee grant for extension of sabbatical, Trinity College,1986 87.
• Dana Fund research grant, Trinity College, 1985.