Hey, it’s good to see you here!

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. My name is Zachary Lorico Hertz and I am a third-year Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley. I study how identities develop, are expressed through political behavior, and intersect with power in local politics. In my research, I use causal inference methods, geocoded large-N observational data, and original survey data to study the effects an increasingly diverse and partisan electorate will have on representation and sub-national institutions. My writing has been featured in academic and popular outlets, including the Election Law Journal and the Washington Post.

Currently, I am the Programming and Data Manager at the Berkeley IGS Poll. Previously, I worked as an Analyst at Data for Progress, where I fielded and analyzed polling data for a number of clients in progressive politics. In addition to my academic research, I have done independent political consulting for Groundwork Project, Data for Progress, and private clients. I received an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from Tufts University. I also write poetry, with my debut forthcoming in Yearling.

While much of my time is devoted to reading, writing, or coding, I enjoy hiking, quiz bowl, and both performing and producing music in my spare time. I am in a band with other Ph.D. students called Good Bones, named for the poem by Maggie Smith (no, not that one). Send me an email and let’s talk more!