As Senior Research Associate, Dickson contributes to the research-driven initiatives of the organization that are aimed at strengthening American democracy. His research interest includes investigating the relationship between socio-economic inequality in American society and politics, across various issues such as democracy reform, healthcare and education. He also employs a number of methodological approaches in his research, including geographic analysis.
Prior to joining Public Agenda, he worked on a number of research projects, including a research survey project for the Association of Professional Schools in International Affairs. The project was aimed at identifying barriers to higher education and careers in International Affairs among racial minorities. His past experience also includes monitoring and evaluation (M&E) projects, with a focus on education policies to improve the trajectories of students from immigrant and low-income households.
Dickson earned a PhD degree in political science from George Washington University. His dissertation examined the electoral politics of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as the ACA). More specifically, the relative effect among low-income Americans compared with high-income Americans on the Democratic vote share in national and state elections. He also holds a master’s degree in international affairs and public policy from the University of California, San Diego.