Robert R. Benedetti is a professor emeritus in political science from the University of the Pacific where he also served as dean of the college and director of the Jacoby Center for Public Service and Civic Leadership. He has recently been a research associate at the Center for California Studies, CSU Sacramento. He co-directed the Delta Narratives project for the Delta Protection Commission which generated historical research on the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta toward its designation as a National Heritage Area. He has chaired two state humanities councils, in Florida and California. Professor Benedetti continues research on local governance in California.