His research involves analyzing the role of the law, politics, and ideology on the decision making of the American court system. He is particularly interested in how the judiciary treats issues related to federalism, free speech, and the 4th Amendment. Although he has experience teaching a broad range of courses in American Politics, at URI he teaches courses on Constitutional Law, Civil Liberties, and American Political Parties. He joined the department in the fall of 2016 after teaching at Centenary College of Louisiana for five years. As a lifelong hockey fan/player, Professor Parker is happy to be back in the Northeast where ice is more abundant.