UCSB Political Scientist Wins Prestigious Fellowship to Study Veterans' Health Care

Christopher Parker, an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has been chosen to receive a prestigious Scholars in Health Policy Research Fellowship given by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Parker will spend his two-year fellowship at UC Berkeley, where he will continue his research into government and public support of health benefits for American military veterans.

Parker will also study veterans' attitudes about government-provided health care.

"Though I am going to miss the interaction with my students, I am elated at getting time off to do pure research," Parker said. "Veterans health care is something that I feel very strongly about, and, with the war in Iraq, it is very timely."

Parker was one of 12 fellows selected from a field of about 140 applicants, all junior professors of political science, sociology or economics less than five years past receiving their Ph.D.

The 12 fellows have been divided into three groups of four, with each group based at a different campus.

In addition to UC Berkeley, groups will be sent to the University of Michigan and Harvard University.

Parker spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy---five years on active duty, five years in the reserves---prior to beginning his academic career.