Adam M. Silver
84 Willett St., Apt. 3B
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (914) 260-0763
Email: [email protected]
Education
Ph.D., Boston University, Political Science. May 2010
Dissertation
“Platforms and Party Development: Regional Diversity, Party Platforms and the Institutionalization of the
Two-Party System in 19th Century America”
Advisors: John Gerring, Cathie Jo Martin, Betty Zisk, and Richard F. Bensel
Fields of Study: American Politics; American Political Development; Political Organizations and Parties; the
Presidency; and Social Movements; Political Theory
M.A., State University of New York Albany, History, December 1996
Concentration: American Cultural and Intellectual History
B.A., State University of New York Oswego, History, May 1995
Phi Alpha Theta, National Honor Society for History
Academic Positions
Lecturer
Politics, Protests, and Music, Simmons College, Fall 2006-2009
Politics Unplugged, Simmons College, Fall 2007
Introduction to American Government, Suffolk University, Fall 2006; Simmons College, Spring 2006; Lassell College, Spring
2006; Boston University, Summer 2002-2005; Northeastern University, Winter 2002; Pine Manor College,
Spring 2001-2003.
Women in Politics, Pine Manor College, Spring 2003.
Instructor, Suffolk University, Moakley College Prep Summer Institute/Boston Private Industry Council, Summer
2007
Clued into Politics (Government 101) - summer program designed to prepare Boston area high school students for
college.
Research Assistant, Harvard University, Fall 2005 – June 2006
Research Assistant to Eric Schickler, Professor, Harvard University
Collection of 20th century state party platforms.
Teaching Fellow, Boston University, Fall 2000 - Fall 2004
Introduction to Political Science, Introduction to American Government and Politics
Relevant Professional Experience
Senior Policy Advisor, Majority Counsel and Program, New York State Senate, December 2009 to Present
Assist in drafting legislation, monitor its progression, and negotiate its passage.
Study and advise Senators on, and advance, major policy initiatives – legislative and budgetary.
Meet with constituents and interest group representatives concerned about specific legislation or budgetary proposals.
Manage the issues of concern facing the delegation of Westchester County state officials.
Campaign Manager, New York State Senate Campaign, Summer – Fall 2004
Organized campaign appearances – candidate forums, debates and appearances
Grassroots campaign activity – publicity
Initiated and responded to press calls
Managed finances in fundraising and collection and disbursement of campaign funds.
Coordinated volunteer activities.
Set up campaign headquarters.
Negotiated and finalized media advertisements.
Legislative Director, New York State Senator 1996-2000
Assisted in drafting legislation.
Negotiated reintroduction and passage of legislation.
Studied, followed, and developed major policy and budget issues.
Managed constituent casework and resolved issues through research and written and oral communication with
constituents, public agencies and officials.
Finance Manager, New York State Senate Campaign 1996
Managed finances in fundraising and collection and disbursement of campaign funds.
Coordinated volunteer activities.
Set up campaign headquarters.
Negotiated and finalized media advertisements.
Research Production and Contributions to the Profession
Panel Organizer and Discussant
“Agitation with a Smile: The Academic and Civic Contributions of Howard Zinn,” Annual Conference of the
Northeastern Political Science Association, November 19-21, 2009
Panel Participation
“Political Parties, Then & Now: A Panel Considering the Historical Experience and the Present State of Partisan
Politics in the U.S.,” College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, February 16, 2009.
Publications
Review of Dynamics of American Political Parties, by Matk D. Brewer and Jeffrey M. Stonecash and Party Position Change in
American Politics: Coalition Management, by David Karol in Journal of Politics 2011 (forthcoming).
“Presidential Election of 1844,” “Presidential Election of 1848,” “Presidential Election of 1852,” “Presidential
Election of 1856,” and “Presidential Election of 1868,” in Encyclopedia of U.S. Campaigns, Elections and Electoral
Behavior, ed. Kenneth F. Warren and Geoffrey Golson (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2008).
Conference Papers
“American Party Convergence in the 19th Century,” Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Political Science Association,
April 22-25, 2010.
“Elites and Masses: The Prevalence of Economic vs. Cultural Concerns in 19th Century American State and National
Party Platforms,” Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, April 1-3, 2010.
“A Divergent Consensus – 19th Century American Party Convergence and Polarization,” Annual Conference of the
Northeastern Political Science Association, November 19-21, 2009
“American Party Convergence in the 19th Century,” 34th Annual Meeting of the Social Science History Association,
November 12-15, 2009.
Adam Silver
Curriculum Vitae
September 2010
2
“The Prevalence of Economic vs. Cultural Concerns in 19th Century American State and National Party Platforms,”
2008 Policy History Conference, May 29-June 1, 2008
“Party Competition and 19th Century American State Development,” Annual Meeting of the New England Political
Science Association, April 25-26, 2008.
“Regional Demarcation and Issue Patterns in 19th Century American State and National Party Platforms,” Annual
Conference of the Northeastern Political Science Association, November 9-11, 2006
“The Salience of Economic Issues Relative to Cultural Issues in 19th Century American State and National Party
Platforms,” Annual Meeting of the New York State Political Science Association, April 21-22, 2006; and at
the Annual Meeting of the New England Political Science Association, May 5-6, 2006.
Work in Progress
The New York State Legislature: The Politics of Impasse
Howard Zinn: Legacy for a New Generation in Political Science (with Stephen Bird and Joshua C. Yesnowtiz).
“American Party Convergence in the Nineteenth Century,” Boston University, Department of Political Science
“American Party Convergence and Polarization in 1840-1896,” Boston University, Department of Political Science
“Elites and Masses: The Prevalence of Economic Issues versus Cultural Issues in 19th Century American State and
National Party Platforms,” Boston University, Department of Political Science
Awards and Fellowships
SSHA-Rockefeller Graduate Student Travel Award – 2009 Social Science History Conference
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (2004) – Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Outstanding Teaching Fellow Award, 2002-2003 Academic Year – Boston University
Teaching Fellowship, Fall 2000, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04 - Boston University
Membership and Academic Activities Service
American Civil Liberties Union
American Political Science Association
Section Memberships: New Political Science; Political Organizations and Parties; and Politics and History.
Skills
Working Spanish
SPSS
Microsoft Excel, Access
References
Dissertation Committee:
John Gerring, Professor
Boston University
232 Bay State Road.
Boston, MA 02215
[email protected]
(617) 353-2756
Adam Silver
Cathie Jo Martin, Professor
Boston University
232 Bay State Road.
Boston, MA 02215
[email protected]
(617) 353- 3798
Curriculum Vitae
September 2010
3
Richard F. Bensel, Professor
Department of Government
White Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
[email protected]
(607) 255-6763
Teaching:
Zachary Abuza, Chair
Department of Political Science and International
Relations
Simmons College
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
[email protected]
(617) 521-2586
Leanne Doherty Mason, Assistant Professor
Barbara Lee and Pre-Law Program
Department of Political Science and International
Relations
Simmons College
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
[email protected]
(617) 521-2581
Gary Oakes, Assistant Professor
Department of Education
Simmons College
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
[email protected]
(617) 521-2203
Professional:
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer
New York State Senate
806 LOB
Albany, NY 12247
(518) 455-2031
Steve Otis, Chief of Staff
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer
New York State Senate
222 Grace Church St.
Port Chester, NY 10573
[email protected]
((914) 934-525
Diane Ward, Director
Education Committee
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer
New York State Senate
846-A LOB
Albany, NY 12247
[email protected]
(518) 455-3574
Adam Silver
Curriculum Vitae
September 2010
4