Rubén Rodríguez Barron is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago, focusing on American politics. His research lies at the intersection of religion and public opinion, with particular attention to the political behavior of American Catholics. His dissertation examines how Catholics’ political preferences have evolved since the Second Vatican Council and the extent to which they align with the agenda of the USCCB. Using a combination of historical analysis, diocesan-level studies, and survey data, Rubén investigates how elite-mass linkages within the Church shape political outcomes.

His broader research interests include the evolution of ideology and partisanship in the United States, elite-mass communication, political media, the politicization of entertainment, and the effects of polarization on governance. He has a strong methodological foundation, holding a Certificate in Computational Social Science and extensive training in statistical modeling, R and Python programming, and data visualization.

Prior to entering academia, Rubén worked in the finance industry in both executive and advisory roles, including at CEMEX and Ernst & Young. He also co-founded a consulting firm delivering CFO services to small and family-owned businesses. His teaching experience spans over a decade, ranging from university-level instruction in accounting, finance, and business ethics in Mexico to undergraduate and graduate lecturing at the University of Chicago. As a preceptor, he has advised theses in the MA Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS), the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Department of Political Science. He has also served repeatedly as a teaching and research assistant across a variety of disciplines.

Rubén holds a Master of Arts in Social Sciences and a master’s in political science from the University of Chicago, a master’s in professional accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, and dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), where he graduated with honors. He lives in Hyde Park with his wife and two children.