Osborn's research focuses on women and politics in U.S. state legislatures, Congress, and political behavior.  Her book, How Women Represent Women: Political Parties, Gender, and Representation in the State Legislatures (Oxford University Press, 2012), examines how Democratic and Republican women represent women's issues under different legislative conditions.  She has also published articles in Political Research Quarterly, American Politics Research, Politics & Gender, and other journals.  She was named a Dean's Scholar by the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2012.