Taylor Carlson studies American politics with a focus on political communication and political psychology.
Carlson’s research focuses on understanding the content and consequences of interpersonal political communication. Her research is uniquely suited to help us understand some of the key challenges in American politics — including misinformation and intensifying polarization — by examining the intersection of information consumption and social interactions about politics.
“Through the Grapevine: Socially Transmitted Information and Distorted Democracy” is Carlson’s third book in a series that has examined how interpersonal political communication contributes to the state of American politics today. In this book, published in July 2024 by The University of Chicago Press, Carlson examines how everyday people — not just the media and politicians — contribute to the creation and spread of misinformation, increased polarization, and political engagement through the conversations they have with friends, colleagues and family about politics.
She is also co-author of “What Goes Without Saying: Navigating Political Discussions in America,” published in May 2022 by Cambridge University Press, and “Talking Politics: Political Discussion Networks and the New American Electorate,” published in April 2020 by Oxford University Press.
Additionally, her research has been published in the Journal of Politics, American Political Science Review and Political Behavior, among other academic journals.
