Sophia Bowley (she/her) began as a Ph.D. student at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance in 2025. Her research interests include the production of effective policy in state legislative bodies and how nonprofits and communities advocate for community needs through government processes, with special interest in affordable housing and environmental policy.
Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with Honors from Knox College, located in Galesburg, IL. Before joining the Evans School, she worked for the IL State Bar Association's legislative affairs department, lobbying for and educating lawyers on the legislative process. She also has experience working in the affordable housing industry, assisting the developer Peoria Opportunities Foundation with research and community coordination, and experience working at the IL House of Representatives as a research & appropriations analyst, focusing on capital budget creation and educational policy.