Chris Piper
Alexandria,VA
Summary
Accomplished policy analyst and research manager with expertise in U.S. governance and federal management. Authored influential research on presidential appointments and the Senate confirmation process, shaping public discourse and guiding policymakers. Skilled in distilling complex data into clear, impactful analysis.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Public Policy
Partnership for Public Service
Washington, DC
03.2023 - Current
- Led public policy team's learning and research agenda on federal government management and leadership, producing reports, datasets, and commentary utilized by Congress, major think tanks, and national media
- Author and editor of 25+ policy publications including Brookings Institution and Partnership reports, issue briefs, blogs, and interactive tools that influence debate over federal governance and reform
- Translate research into actionable policy recommendations for lawmakers, transition teams, and executive-branch leaders
- Briefed Capitol Hill staff, administration officials, and advocacy partners on institutional reform options and data trends to inform decision-making
- Organized public and private convenings, connecting policymakers, scholars, and advocacy groups to facilitate dialogue and understanding
- Oversaw multiple grants, managing budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements
- Promoted from Associate Manager to Manager within nine months
Adjunct Professor
George Washington University
Washington, DC
08.2025 - Current
- Taught graduate-level course in Legislative Data & Analytics, equipping future congressional staff with skills to analyze and communicate policy effectively using data.
Research Assistantships
Vanderbilt University and University of Illinois
Nashville, TN
01.2017 - 03.2023
- Developed and analyzed datasets that supported peer-reviewed publications in top political science journals
- Led research teams and facilitated multi-year projects on government leadership, management, and performance
- Executed quantitative and qualitative research on Congress, federal agencies, and executive power
Lead Constituent Services Intern
Congressman Rodney Davis
Champaign, Illinois
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Conducted legislative and district-level policy research, enhancing constituent outreach and communications
Education
Ph.D. - Political Science
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TNMaster of Arts - Political Science
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TNBachelor of Science - Political Science
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, ILSkills
- Policy analysis and writing
- Quantitative research
- Data visualization
- Media-ready analysis
- Grant & project management
- Stakeholder engagement
Affiliations
Lead author or co-author of more than 25 policy analyses on presidential appointments, the Senate confirmation process, and federal vacancies, including: tracking nomination and confirmation trends across presidential administrations, analyzing leadership gaps across federal agencies, and evaluating Senate rules and reform proposals. Work widely cited by policymakers, journalists, and governance reform advocates.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Journal of Politics (2024) — Measuring the Impact of Appointee Vacancies on Federal Agency Performance
- Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (2022) — Do Vacancies Hurt Federal Agency Performance?
- Presidential Studies Quarterly (2022) — Presidential Strategy Amidst the “Broken” Appointments Process
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
George Washington University
08.2025 - Current
Manager, Public Policy
Partnership for Public Service
03.2023 - Current
Research Assistantships
Vanderbilt University and University of Illinois
01.2017 - 03.2023
Lead Constituent Services Intern
Congressman Rodney Davis
01.2015 - 12.2015
Ph.D. - Political Science
Vanderbilt University
Master of Arts - Political Science
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign