Research

My main field of research is American politics with a secondary concentration in quantitative methodology. I am broadly interested in American political institutions – especially the U.S. Congress and interest groups. My current research agenda is pointed toward better understanding religious representation from an institutional perspective. I am also collaborating with Jim Gimpel and Patrick Wohlfarth on a paper examining the emergence of redistricting litigation. If you would like to know more about my current research, please feel free to contact me. A few of my working projects are:

• Gimpel, James G., Tristan M. Hightower, and Patrick C. Wohlfarth. 2020. The Geography of Law: Understanding the Origin of State and Federal Redistricting Cases. Invited to Revise & Resubmit at Political Research Quartlerly.
• Hightower, Tristan M. 2020. Packed Pews: Understanding Evangelical Group Formation. Under Review at Interest Groups & Advocacy.

I currently have one publication that was adapted from my undergraduate thesis:

• Hightower, Tristan M. 2019. Tennessee’s Promise: Education for All? Pursuit – The Journal of Undergraduate Research at the University of Tennessee 9(1): Article 4.

I have also worked as a research assistant for the following faculty:

• Dr. Kris Miler, Assoc. Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
• Dr. James G. Gimpel, Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
• Dr. Hemant Sharma, Lecturer, University of Tennessee (undergraduate research assistant)