About Me

Gregory Blake Hutchins earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside in December 2026, where his concentrations were in Mass Political Behavior and International Relations. Gregory’s doctorial research focused on the politics of housing and homelessness; specifically, how perceptions of deservingness of the unsheltered impact people’s policy preferences towards the unsheltered. His dissertation, Unsheltered America: Deservingness, Redistribution, and the Politics of Exclusion, used survey experiments to examine how those perceptions shape support for both redistributive and exclusionary policies. Beyond his dissertation, Gregory’s research interests include labor politics, American political economy, California state politics, and local government.

Gregory was also the founding staffer of UCR’s Inland Empire Labor and Community Center (IELCC-UCR), where he served as Chief of Staff and later as Senior Advisor and Lead Researcher from 2023 to 2026, eventually taking over half the Center’s research portfolio. During his time at the Center, he contributed to most of its published reports and co-directed the launch of its Policy Brief series, which translates rigorous research into accessible material for local policymakers and the public. He also launched the Center’s first Labor Summer cohort, led the creation of the Bill Perez Labor Scholarship with the Inland Empire Labor Council, and co-led the Center’s AI Data Center series. Additionally, Gregory mentored nine undergraduate and three graduate researchers through the Center’s research projects in partnership with UCR’s MSIRA program.

In addition to his academic work, Gregory is a Commissioner on Riverside City’s Budget Engagement Commission, where he advises on a city budget of more than $1 billion. He is also a proud rank-and-file member, and delegate to the IE Labor Council for UAW 4811. While at UCR, Gregory served as the UCR GSA Vice President of External Affairs for the 2025–2026 academic year, on the Board of Directors of the UC Graduate and Professional Council, and as his department’s Graduate Student Chair. He also co-taught California Politics alongside former Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge, bringing more than 25 legislators, staffers, and state policy leaders into the classroom.

Gregory is an elected ADEM-delegate to the CA Democratic Party from Assembly District 63, the former Political and Policy Director for the Riverside County Young Democrats, and the former President of the Inland Empire Truman Club political PAC. He is also a member of the Pick Group of Young Professionals, where he previously served as the Vice-Chair of the Civic Engagement Committee.

Born and raised in the Inland Empire, Gregory graduated from Riverside’s Martin Luther King High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Riverside in 2017. At UCR, he was a member of University Honors, Executive Editor of the Audeamus Editorial Board, and one of the founding peer educators for Highlanders Against Sexual Violence. His University Honors Senior Thesis, “Insolvency to Sustainability: An In-Depth Look at Bankruptcy Recovery for California Cities,” looked at the relative successes of Stockton and Vallejo to create something of a best practices formula for the City of San Bernardino. Immediately following graduation, Gregory was awarded the Ronald O. Loveridge Public Service Fellowship, which placed him at the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in Sacramento, where he analyzed bills of interest for county leaders. Gregory also volunteers as the Head Spotter and Co-Announcer for the Kaiser High School Football team, something he has done since his freshman year of high school.

In the little free time he has, Gregory spends it with his family, particularly his nieces and nephews. If not with his family, Gregory is a novice hiker and photographer. He also likes to spend time with his Great Dane, Bruno. Gregory is always up for a friendly game of chess, poker, Monopoly, or even a pickup game of basketball. Oh, and if you dare, Gregory is always available for conversations surrounding the reform of power structures to create more equity in society. In keeping with that sentiment, we encourage you to read scholarship from more learned academics by visiting Women Also Know Stuff.