Dr. Deborah Rivas Drake

Biography

Deborah Rivas-Drake is a Professor of Education Psychology at the University of Michigan's Marsal Family School of Education. Her research focuses on the intersection of academic and socioemotional adjustment among adolescents, particularly in relation to race and ethnicity. Through her work with the Together Contexts Academic + Socioemotional Adjustment (CASA) Lab, she examines how various settings—school, peer groups, families, and communities—support adolescents in navigating critical issues related to race and ethnicity. The overarching goal of her research is to illuminate promising practices aimed at disrupting racism and xenophobia, consequently guiding diverse young people towards positive trajectories and contributions in schools and communities. Her research has received funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and the W.T. Grant Foundation. She has co-authored a book titled 'Surface: Talking Teens Race, Ethnicity, Identity,' which was awarded the Social Policy Book Award by the Society for Research on Adolescence. Rivas-Drake serves on several committees, contributing her expertise to improve intergroup attitudes and collaborations with school leaders and policymakers.

Research Interests

Experience