Christian Caron, PhD
ABOUT ME
I’m a quantitative researcher with a strong background in applied data science, machine learning, statistical modeling, and survey research. I hold a PhD in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I leveraged recent advances in computational social science to address complex policy and behavioral questions. My peer-reviewed work applies advanced statistical methods to explore institutional systems and public opinion. In both academic and applied consulting settings, I’ve managed projects involving large, unstructured datasets; built predictive models; and communicated data-driven insights to diverse audiences. I’m passionate about turning data into decisions and enjoy working on applied problems where rigorous methods can make a real impact.
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To explore examples of my work, see the Portfolio and Publications sections of this site.
"Let me remark on how unusual Christian's profile is. Very few have the staying power to complete the PhD, and yet he has done it while publishing a number of articles in top academic journals. . . . Christian has always been an efficient worker, and he simply got going early on this and kept his eye on the prize. And it did not come at the cost of the substantive or theoretical importance of his work." – Dr. Frank Baumgartner, Richard J. Richardson Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Political Science, UNC Chapel Hill and author of Agendas and Instability in American Politics and The Politics of Information, among other seminal works
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EXPERIENCE
Matrix Design Group, Inc.
Senior Research Analyst
July 2022 – Present
Denver, CO
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UNC Chapel Hill, Dept. of Political Science
Researcher & Instructor
August 2016 – May 2022
EDUCATION
UNC Chapel Hill
PhD, Political Science | 2022
Chapel Hill, NC
Dissertation: Three Essays on the Political Determinants of Public Policy in the U.S. States
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UNC Chapel Hill
MA, Political Science | 2018
Chapel Hill, NC
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UCONN
BA (Honors), Political Science | 2016
Storrs, CT
GPA: 3.9 | Magna Cum Laude | Phi Beta Kappa
Recipient of Bennett Award for Best Honors Thesis and Reiter Senior Award for Graduate Study
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SKILLS & EXPERTISE
- Advanced statistical modeling, including generalized linear models, time-series forecasting, and Bayesian inference
- Proficient in R and Python for programming, data manipulation, statistical modeling, and visualization
- Practical experience with supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods such as classification, prediction, and regularization
- Natural language processing, including sentiment analysis and topic modeling
- Strong data communicator, with experience translating statistical methods and findings for nontechnical audiences
- Extensive experience analyzing survey data, including stratified samples and weighted estimates
- Economic impact assessments
Christian Caron, PhD
Quantitative & Computational Social Scientist