Banks earned a PhD in Political Science at the University of Michigan in 2009 and a BA in Political Science and African American Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York. Banks specializes in American politics, with a focus on race and ethnic politics, political psychology, public opinion, and voting behavior. His current research interests center on two issues: emotion's importance in triggering the political impact of racial attitudes and emotions as a motivator for political action. His articles have appeared in peer-reviewed journals such as the American Journal of Political Science, Public Opinion Quarterly, Political Behavior, and Political Psychology.show more