Oscar Barbarin

Dr. Oscar Barbarin is a Professor in the Department of African American Studies and Psychology at the University of Maryland. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Rutgers University (1975) and has held faculty positions at the Universities of Maryland, Michigan, and North Carolina. His research focuses on the socio-emotional and academic development of marginalized youth, particularly Black boys, and the impact of adversity on child development. He has pioneered universal mental health screening systems for preschoolers and conducted a 20-year longitudinal study in South Africa examining poverty, violence, and child development.

Key research interests include racial disparities in education, early childhood mathematics, and family resilience. He has served as Editor of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry and on the Governing Council of the Society for Research in Child Development. His work emphasizes culturally competent interventions, policy reform, and anti-racist practices in education and mental health.

Recent publications explore resilience strategies for Black boys, restorative justice in schools, and the psychological impacts of crises like the pandemic. Dr. Barbarin advocates for systemic changes to address inequities in child welfare and educational systems through evidence-based advocacy and community partnerships.