His research examines early modernity, Christianity and the thought of Niccolo Machiavelli. His teaching interests at Duke Kunshan include U.S. studies, ethics and leadership, institutions and governance, and political science.

Parsons has a B.A. in political science from the University of Maine and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Toronto. Before joining Duke Kunshan, he taught at Carroll College, Montana.