James Jones

James R. Jones is Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Sociology and the inaugural director of the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America at Rutgers University, Newark. His research focuses on racial representation and inequality in U.S. political institutions, especially the experiences of Black government workers. He authored The Last Plantation, which examines racism in the congressional workplace and how Black staffers resist it.

Publications:

• https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/the-unexpected-dividends-of-a-congressional-internship

• https://inthesetimes.com/article/house-office-diversity-inclusion-dei-congress-government-shutdown

• https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-racist-history-of-the-united-states-capitol-police?ref=author

Media Appearances/Speaking Engagements:

• http://jamesrjones.com/events/2024/9/25/elite-politics-panel-in-the-2024-election-series

• https://test2436234.my.canva.site/jamesjonesspeaker

• https://jamesweldonjohnson.emory.edu/about/news-events/index.html?trumbaEmbed=view%3devent%26eventid%3d177230580

Previous Organizations: 

• Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America

Accomplishments:

• 2024 Public Sociology Award, Eastern Sociological Society

Upcoming Projects:

• Racial Representation Among White House Staff

The Institute is pleased to introduce its new Race, Labor and Public Policy Fellowship focused specifically on the relationship between, and translation of, research and public policy writing and activism.

Congratulations to our first two fellows, James Jones (Africana Studies, School of Arts and Sciences, Newark) and Sheri Davis Faulkner (School of Management and Labor Relations, New Brunswick), who will be planning and leading a series of activities for the program — including public events and workshops around books that demonstrate the blend of scholarly, humanities-based approaches, public policy writing and research projects with undergraduates in this area.

https://globalracialjustice.rutgers.edu/scholarship-humanities