The Brown University political science professor who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. James Langevin (R.I.) in the 2006 Democratic primary is coming to Washington, D.C., to head the Women & Politics Institute at American University.

[IMGCAP(1)]Jennifer Lawless will become director of the institute later this summer, taking over for Karen O’Connor, who will become director emeritus. In addition to her teaching and political work, Lawless is co-author with Richard Fox of the 2005 book “It Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don’t Run for Office.—

“Dr. Lawless is at the forefront of academic research and writing about women in politics and, specifically, women’s political ambition,— O’Connor said in a statement.

Lawless took 38 percent of the vote in a quixotic campaign against Langevin that was mostly focused on his opposition to abortion rights.

The institute’s mission is to provide young women with academic training that encourages them to become involved in the political process and to facilitate research on the challenges women face in the political arena.