Research

My research agenda centers on understanding how race shapes political representation, public opinion, and citizen engagement in American democracy. Through a multi-method approach combining experimental design, survey research, and qualitative analysis, I investigate the complex ways racial identity intersects with political behavior and institutional practices.

At the core of my work is an examination of racial authenticity as it applies to Black politicians—a heavily contested and socially constructed concept that profoundly influences how these leaders are perceived and evaluated. My dissertation explores how Black politicians navigate scholars call the "racial tightrope": the challenge of signaling racial authenticity to maintain credibility with Black constituents while calibrating their racial presentation to avoid alienating White voters. Using conjoint experimental methods, I test how different dimensions of a Black politician's presentation influence perceptions of authenticity among both Black and White respondents. 

Beyond questions of authenticity, I am interested in the trade-offs citizens are willing to make in pursuit of their legislative preferences. What are voters willing to sacrifice—whether policy priorities, ideological consistency, or other values—to see their preferences realized? This work engages with both symbolic and descriptive representation, exploring how the presence and actions of representatives from marginalized communities affect constituents' sense of political empowerment and policy outcomes.

My research also examines how experiences with discrimination shape political attitudes and behavior. I investigate how lived experiences of marginalization influence approval of social movements like Black Lives Matter and attitudes toward contemporary immigration policies, seeking to understand the pathways through which inequality shapes democratic participation and political consciousness.

Additionally, I have research experience in law,  partisanship, political violence, media and American political development, which informs my broader understanding of institutional change and the evolution of rights and representation in the United States. Across all my work, I am committed to involving students in the research process and mentoring the next generation of scholars.

Kimbrell, Karlee L. "Feminist Consciousness and the Conditional Effects of Descriptive Representation on Political Evaluations". Working Paper

Kimbrell, Karlee L. “Between Black and a Hard Place: The Paradox of Racial Authenticity for Black Politicians.” Working Project.

Kimbrell, Karlee L. “Inclusive Pedagogy in Political Science: Bridging Theory with Practice in Introductory American Government Courses.” Working Project. 

Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                 

Partisan Violence & Political Psychology with Stephen P. Nicholson

Graduate Research Assistant                                                                             

“Creating the Judicial Database and Research Agenda” 

Under NSF Grant SES-2141551 held by Christina L. Boyd                                                                                                                   

Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                  

Political Behavior with Geoffrey Sheagley 

Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                  

Race, Ethnicity, & Politics with Roberto Carlos                                 

Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                   

Negative Partisanship with Alexa Bankert 

Undergraduate Research Assistant                                                                        

Archival Research & Qualitative Data with Laura M. Wilson