Jessica Trounstine

About the Author

Jessica Trounstine is a distinguished political scientist and author whose work illuminates the intricate intersections of local governance, urban policy, and social inequality in the United States. With a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, she has held faculty positions at prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Merced, where she serves as a professor of political science. Trounstine's research draws on historical analysis, quantitative data, and case studies to reveal how political decisions shape community landscapes and perpetuate disparities. Her seminal book, Segregation by Design: Local Politics and Inequality in American Cities, offers a compelling examination of how zoning laws and municipal policies have engineered racial and economic divides since the early 20th century. Through her accessible yet rigorous prose, Trounstine advocates for equitable urban planning, influencing policymakers, academics, and activists alike in the pursuit of more just cities.