David Azerrad

David Azerrad, Ph.D., is a conservative political scholar whose career centers on the study and communication of the principles of the American Founding. His research and writing focus on classical liberalism, conservative political thought, and identity politics. Azerrad examines the American political tradition from the country's founding to the present, with particular attention to contemporary political movements. He holds a doctoral degree in politics from the University of Dallas, where he completed a dissertation on the foundations of John Locke's political thought.

Before joining Hillsdale College, Azerrad served as director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics at The Heritage Foundation. In that role, he taught the tenets of the American political tradition to policymakers, political leaders, and the public, connecting the nation's founding principles to current political questions. He was also Heritage's first AWC Family Foundation Fellow. During his tenure, Azerrad authored the report "The Promises and Perils of Identity Politics," published by Heritage Foundation, which analyzes the evolution of identity politics from the black nationalist, Black Power, and women's liberation movements to its current prominence in public discourse, focusing on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and related categories.

Azerrad is an assistant professor and research fellow at Hillsdale College's Van Andel Graduate School of Government in Washington, D.C. He has previously taught at American University and the University of Dallas. His work includes contributions to "The American Question," "Surviving Socialism," and "The Liberty & Slavery Podcast." Azerrad's writings have appeared in publications such as Claremont Review of Books, The Weekly Standard, National Affairs, The Times (London), Real Clear Politics, Los Angeles Times, The National Interest, and Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy.

Azerrad speaks across the United States on topics related to the American Founding, constitutionalism, modern liberalism and conservatism, and the American Dream. He has addressed audiences in more than 25 states and has spoken at the Aspen Ideas Festival, hosted by The Aspen Institute and The Atlantic. Azerrad has also appeared on national television in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, contributing to discussions on conservative political thought and American political history.