Kayla Wolf, PhD

My research agenda sits at the intersection of public opinion, political socialization, gender, and race and ethnic politics. Broadly focusing on political behavior, my research asks questions about how we develop our political attitudes and ideologies as well as how our race, gender, and class backgrounds influence these attitude formation processes. As such, my research falls primarily into two areas: 1) understanding the political socialization process embedded in post- secondary education and 2) theorizing how gender, race, and class influence public opinion about relevant policy preferences, some of which include abortion, support for the January 6th insurrection, and rights for transgender individuals. 

In May 2025, I completed my PhD in Political Science from the University of Southern California, also earning a graduate certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Additionally, I have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Theology from Fordham University and a Master's degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Southern California. 

Prior to starting my PhD, I worked at TED-Ed, the educational branch of TED Talks which helped to spark my passion for education in all forms. When I'm not hopelessly staring at code or thinking deeply about gendered socialization, I enjoy playing beach volleyball, watching football (go Eagles), practicing for my eventual debut on Jeopardy, and backpacking through as many places as possible.