JP Anderson

J.P. joined the American Ethnic Studies department as an assistant teaching professor with an appointment in the Integrated Social Sciences Program. He previously taught in the Law, Societies, and Justice department at UW and in the Political Science department as San Diego State University, where held classes on Constitutional Law, Law & Politics, and Drug Policy. Additionally, J.P. has taught classes at Pomona College and Seattle University on American politics, ethics in law, Black Political Thought, and Political Theory. He earned both his BA in Law, Societies, and Justice and PhD in Political Science at the University of Washington, where he also completed a graduate certificate in Law, Societies, and Justice. He is pleased to be back at UW and living in Seattle.

J.P.’s interdisciplinary and comparative research investigates the ways in which law and legal institutions influence and construct ideas of racial difference and reinforce social inequities. This research also explores new and old ways in which legal processes can mitigate social inequities and how American society may finally establish an authentic rule of law in which social identity has no influence on legal outcomes. This scholarship appears in law-related journals such as Law & Social Inquiry and Law & Policy.

In-line with his role as a teaching professor, J.P. also researches innovations in pedagogy, especially as they relate to the “non-traditional” student experience. Having had a non-traditional student experience himself, this project is both professionally and personally important to him. He hopes this research can help non-traditional students find belonging on campus and more pathways into graduate studies and fulfilling professional roles.

J.P. is also a consultant who works with public and private organizations on organizational culture development, leadership development, and belonging. He was an invited speaker at the 2025 Washington State DEI conference, where he discussed the political backlash facing “DEI” with an audience of 20k. Related to this work, J.P is currently coauthoring a book which considers the present and future state of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in American culture.

Two of J.P.’s favorite quotes are “be kind whenever possible—It is always possible” and “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”