Steven Andrew Light (Ph.D. Northwestern University, B.A. Yale University) is Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Co-Director of the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy at the University of North Dakota.  He is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading experts on Indian gaming.  His expertise includes policy analysis and implementation, agency authority and rulemaking, and tribal government administration.  He has published nearly 40 articles and three books on tribal gaming, including Indian Gaming Law: Cases and Materials (2008), Indian Gaming Law and Policy (2006), and Indian Gaming and Tribal Sovereignty: The Casino Compromise (2005).  He has testified on Indian gaming regulation and oversight before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., and his first book was featured on C-SPAN’s Book TV.  Light teaches in the areas of administrative law, constitutional law, public personnel administration, and race politics.  He has published on the policy implementation of court decisions, affirmative action, environmental justice, and voting rights.  His next book is “The Law is Good”: The Voting Rights Act, Redistricting, and Black Regime Politics.  Prior to his appointment at the University of North Dakota, Light served as a Civil Rights Analyst in the Voting Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., and taught at Marquette and Northwestern Universities.

Light is co-recipient of the 2007 UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research or Creative Activity, and Service, the university’s highest annual faculty award.  He is three-time recipient of the UND College of Business and Public Administration's Outstanding Teaching, Research, and Service Award (2006, 2005, and 2001) and also received the College's awards for Outstanding Teaching (2004) and Service (2008).

LIght is a frequent commentator in media worldwide, including the New York Times, USA Today, Boston Globe, International Herald Tribune, and Bloomberg Media.  Light and Rand blog on Indian gaming at their website, Indian Gaming Today.  Check it out at indiangamingtoday.com.  They welcome the opportunity to deliver informative and entertaining talks on Indian gaming for universities and civic groups across the U.S.  Please feel free to contact either of them for more information!

ABBREVIATED CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

M.A., Ph.D., Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Yale University

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

University of North Dakota Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Associate Professor (tenured) (2005-present)
Assistant Professor (2000-2005)

Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy
Co-Director (with Kathryn R.L. Rand) (2002-present)