Professor Peck's scholarly work concerns Congress, the presidency, and American Political Development.

One area of his research explores the tensions that exist between between the modern presidency and the rule of law. Another considers Congress’s role in the promotion and enactment of civil rights initiatives since the Civil War. In all of Professor Peck's research, he employs detailed historical analyses of both qualitative and quantitative data to explain political decisions and policy enactments.

Professor Peck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and History from Brandeis University, and a Ph.D in Government from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining the Government Department at Wesleyan, he served as an Assistant Professor in Department of Political Science at San Francisco State University.