Dr. Phillips’ research focuses on public economics and applied microeconomics. His dissertation examined the determinants of individual income tax compliance, in particular the role played by strategic risk-taking incentives, and was named runner-up for the National Tax Association’s 2011 Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award. Among other topics, he has also studied the impacts of tax holidays and public policy salience.

While writing his dissertation, Dr. Phillips worked as an economist in the Office of Research at the Internal Revenue Service. He has presented his research at various government institutions and universities, as well as a tax administration conference cohosted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Prior to graduate school, he worked for NERA Economic Consulting in the securities and mass torts practices.

Prior to earning his Ph.D., Dr. Phillips graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in economics.