Heather K. Evans is the John Morton Beaty Professor of Political Science in the Department of Social Sciences at The University of Virginia's College at Wise. She joined the faculty in the fall of 2019. Previously, she was an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Sam Houston State University. Her primary research interests are political engagement, competitive congressional elections, social media (Twitter) and the effect of entertainment media on political attitudes. She is the author and editor of three books; "Competitive Elections and Democracy in America: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" was published by Routledge in 2014 and explores both the positive and negative side-effects of increasing competitiveness in congressional elections. Her edited volumes, "Community Engagement Findings Across the Disciplines: Applying Course Concepts to Community Needs" and "Community Engagement Best Practices Across the Disciplines: Applying Course Concepts to Community Needs" were published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2017 and 2018 and examine service learning experiences across the academic disciplines. 

Heather also serves as the director of "Beyond Wise," the experiential learning HUB at UVA Wise, and the co-director of UVA Wise CONNECTS.  

Finally, Heather also is the host of "Red, White, and Confused," a weekly radio show about local and national politics, on 90.7 WEHC and 90.5 WISE-FM (also available as a podcast).