Clinton McNair

Clinton McNair is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers University in Camden. He received his Ph.D. from the political science department at the University of Oklahoma. His research areas include public administration and public policy, with a focus on social equity, nonprofits, race, emergency management, and local government.  His research analyzes the public perception of social equity and the influence of representation. He is building his research portfolio to discuss improving equity and preparedness in the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, he researches how local governments and nonprofits collaborate to improve the living conditions of impoverished communities across America. 

His most recent research publications are Politics, Groups, and Identities and the book Local Government Administration in Small Town America. ​ He is from Southeast Texas (Beaumont, Texas, specifically), an area that has experienced numerous disasters, and he has seen firsthand the politics of disaster recovery. The rise in poverty in rural areas has always motivated him to participate in helping his community, so he has dedicated his professional life to the nonprofit sector. His experience working in the field established the foundation for his current work and research. 

Publications:

• Ripberger, J. T., McNair, C., Rivera, J. D., & Knox, C. C. (2025). Understanding Social Equity From the Perspective of Local Emergency Managers: A Preliminary Study. State and Local Government Review, 0160323X251361565.

• Peay, Periloux C., and Clinton R. McNair. "Concurrent pressures of mass protests: the dual influences of# BlackLivesMatter on state-level policing reform adoption." Politics, Groups, and Identities 12.2 (2024): 277-301.

• McNair, Clinton, and Scott E. Robinson. "Challenges in Rural Emergency Management." Local Government Administration in Small Town America (2023): 266-279.

Media Appearances/Speaking Engagements:

• 2025- SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge) Research Week

• 2025- SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge) Research Week

Previous Organizations: 

• Texas Low Income Housing Information Services- Houston, TX

• Annie E Casey- Atlanta Civic Site- National Urban Fellow-

• Habitat for Humanity- Newburgh, NY

Accomplishments:

• 2023-American University Diversity Fellowship

• 2023- Hanes Walton, Jr. Award for Quantitative Methods Training, National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS)

• 2016-2017 National Urban Fellows- New York, New York

Social and racial justice are fundamental aspects of my work. The majority of my research analyzes the impact disasters have on underrepresented communities. Specifically, I examine the social and racial injustices present in recovery efforts and resource allocation. In addition, my research seeks to answer complex questions about the public's perception of representation and policy, while identifying the factors that contribute to long-standing inequalities in underrepresented communities.