Taran Samarth

Research
Public work
CV
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I’m a PhD student in political science at Yale.


I’m interested in how policies affect collective political identity and action with a focus on the American carceral state and local politics. You can see more about my work and self on my CV.

Outside of academia, I’m committed to movements for life-affirming democracy across policy spaces: public safety, higher education, labor, and climate. I advocate for a democratic, sustainable, and equitable university with Penn State Forward, and I work with students nationwide to understand + challenge the capture of higher education by finance capital.

I grew up in central Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State with degrees in political science, sociology, mathematics, and philosophy. I love art museums.