Tasha Philpot studies African American politics, public opinion and political behavior, political communication, and political parties. Her research examines the consequences of using racial images in political communication. She is also affiliated with the Center for African and African American Studies and the Center for Women's and Gender Studies. Her book, "Race, Republicans, and the Return of the Party of Lincoln" (2007), examines how political parties use racial symbols to reshape their image among the electorate.