Judith Byfield’s primary research focus is women's social and economic history in Nigeria. Her research includes in-depth studies on tie-dye production, World War II, Nigerian women's political activism and nationalism.

She is currently a Fulbright Global Scholar beginning a new project, "Curry Goat and Gari: West Indian Women in 20th-Century Lagosian Society."  It is inspired by the West Indian women she met during her research trips to Nigeria.