I write and teach about modern American history, focusing on the evolution of political institutions, the growth of cities and suburbs, the impact of economic globalization, and the emergence of high-technology economies. My book, Cities of Knowledge: Cold War Science and the Search for the Next Silicon Valley, explored how Silicon Valley came to be, why other U.S. regions did not become Silicon Valley, and what Cold War political economy had to do with it. My current research projects pursue similar themes on a global scale, considering the role of political institutions in economic globalization since 1940 and the emergence of "new" Silicon Valleys in China, India, and other nations around the world. I also advise universities, governments, and other organizations about knowledge-driven economic development, urban planning and governance, and the role of higher education institutions in building dynamic and sustainable regional economies.

Students in my undergraduate and graduate history courses can learn about a range of topics in twentieth century US and world history, including Presidential elections and party politics; the history of cities and suburbs; the people, places, and politics of the American West; and social policy in the U.S. and abroad.

I teach in the Department of History at the University of Washington and am a research scholar at the Bill Lane Center for the North American West at Stanford University. I received my PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania and my BA from Northwestern University. From 1993 to 1997, I worked on economic and welfare policy in the Clinton Administration. My full CV.

Please explore the pages on this site to learn more about my current and past courses, research and writing, speeches and presentations, and policy work. You'll also find links to some useful resources about innovation economies, world cities, higher education, and studying and teaching American history. Thanks for visiting!