Deborah Rivas-Drake

Deborah Rivas-Drake is the Stephanie J. Rowley Collegiate Professor in the Marsal Family School of Education and a Professor of Psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on how educational, familial, and community contexts shape adolescents’ racial and ethnic identity, socioemotional well-being, and civic engagement. She co-directs the Contexts of Academic + Socioemotional Adjustment (CASA) Lab, emphasizing practices that disrupt racism and xenophobia. Her work is funded by NSF, Spencer Foundation, and W.T. Grant Foundation. She has authored/co-authored influential books like Below the Surface: Talking with Teens about Race, Ethnicity, and Identity, which won major awards. She holds leadership roles in SRCD and SRA committees, advocating for equity in education and youth development.

Her research highlights the role of ethnic-racial socialization, discrimination, and intergroup contact in youth outcomes. She collaborates with educators and policymakers to translate research into practical tools for schools and families. Key contributions include frameworks for equity-focused social-emotional learning (SEL), strategies for undocumented families, and interventions to foster civic responsibility. Her grants include initiatives like the 'INVITE: Inclusive and Innovative Intelligent Technologies for Education' project and measures of equity-based SEL practices.

Rivas-Drake’s awards reflect her impact on developmental science and policy. She bridges academia with community engagement, advising school districts and organizations like CASEL and Sesame Workshop. Her work underscores intersectionality, emphasizing how race, class, and immigration status interact to shape youth experiences. The CASA Lab’s interdisciplinary approach addresses systemic inequities through rigorous research and actionable solutions.