Chris Pepin-Neff

(they/them)

10

Articles

5

Comments

Dr. Chris Pepin-Neff (they/them) is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Sydney. Their research focuses on agenda-setting, moral panics, emotions in public policy, and inequality in the policy process. Chris's research has been published in leading journals including Politics and Gender, the Australian Journal of Political Science, Australian Journal of Public Administration, Policy Studies, Marine Policy, and Conservation Letters. They have authored three books, including "Flaws" (2019), "LGBTQ Lobbying in the U.S." (2021), and Tolerable Inequality (2025). Pepin-Neff has also had their research noted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Scientific American, the Economist, the Guardian, the Hill, Sydney Morning Herald, Time magazine, CNN, Yahoo News, the Boston Globe, SBS, the Daily Mail, Fox News, ABC 730, the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, National Public Radio, Radio National Australia, National Geographic, Australian Geographic, and Times of Higher Education.

In addition, Pepin-Neff worked in Washington, D.C. for 18 years, including as a Senate aide to John Warner (R-VA), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Log Cabin Republicans, and worked on the presidential campaigns of Dole (1996), McCain (2000), Kerry (2004), and Biden (2020).

Experience

  • 2010–2011
    Associate Producer, Shark Harbour Documentary
  • 2007–2010
    Executive Director, Outright Vermont
  • 2005–2006
    Senior Program Manager, DDB Issues and Advocacy
  • 2002–2005
    Senior Policy Advocate, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

Education

  • 2014 
    University of Sydney, PhD of Public Policy
  • 2008 
    University of Sydney, Master of Public Policy
  • 2007 
    University of Sydney, Graduate Diploma of Public Policy
  • 1999 
    James Madison University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Grants and Contracts

  • 2011
    Shark Bites and Public Policy - Project Leader
    Role:
    Grantee
    Funding Source:
    Save Our Seas Foundation

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Political Studies Association

Research Areas

  • Public Policy (160510)

Contact Chris for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision