91Ö±²¥

Ali Masood

  • Associate Professor of Politics

Education

  • BBA, economics, University of Georgia
  • BA, political science, Georgia State University
  • MA, political science, University of South Carolina
  • PhD, political science, University of South Carolina

Biography

Ali Masood is an assistant professor of politics and law & society at 91Ö±²¥ College. His research focuses on American political institutions, particularly law and courts. Broadly, his work centers on the impact of legal and political institutions. He aims to provide a better understanding of the complex ways in which judicial actors at various levels of the judiciary interact to shape legal and policy outcomes. His research also explores how scandals, partisan polarization, and elite cues shape public perceptions of legal institutions, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice.

Masood is working on several projects, including how ideological polarization impacts decision-making in the U.S. Supreme Court as well as how affective animus shapes public support for the Court and its decisions.

His research is supported by the  and has been published or is forthcoming in American Politics Research, Journal of Law and Courts, Law & Social Inquiry, Political Research Quarterly, Politics, Groups, and Identities, PS: Political Science & Politics, and Social Science Quarterly.

He teaches courses on civil rights and civil liberties, constitutional law, judicial politics, judicial simulation, and a research seminar on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Fall 2026

Legal Advocacy — LAWS 400

Senior Portfolio — LAWS 500

Notes

Ali Masood Article Published

Assistant Professor of Politics Ali Masood recently published an article titled, "" that examines how elite cues and affective animus impact public perceptions of the FBI, DOJ, and the U.S. Supreme Court in American Politics Research.

News

Beyond the Writing Center: Abbie Patchen ’24

Abbie Patchen ’24 is a JD candidate at the UNC School of Law. At 91Ö±²¥ Abbie minored in Writing & Communication. Here, she reflects on how her 91Ö±²¥ courses and professors shaped her approach to learning and writing.