Dr. Brian L. Ragsdale
Psychologist - Educator - Writer - Artist
My work explores how psychology, culture, technology, and creativity shape the way we live, connect, and make meaning. As a clinical psychologist, writer, artist, and educator, I am interested in helping people see the often-overlooked relationships between personal experience and the larger social forces transforming everyday life.
My Story
I've always been fascinated by the stories people tell about themselves—and the larger cultural stories that shape those lives. That curiosity has guided my work as a psychologist, educator, researcher, writer, and artist.
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My career has spanned clinical psychology, higher education, health disparities research, and public scholarship. Along the way, I've come to believe that our individual lives are deeply influenced by the social, cultural, and technological forces around us. Understanding those connections has become the foundation of my work.
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Today, through The Cultural Squeeze Report, the Transforming Minds podcast, public speaking, and creative practice, I explore how psychology, culture, artificial intelligence, racial identity, aging, and belonging are reshaping everyday life. Whether I'm conducting a psychological assessment, writing an essay, or creating a painting, my goal is the same: to help people better understand themselves, one another, and the changing world we share with curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking.
Research & Publications
Selected Research Funding & Grants
​Peer-Reviewed Publications
Vasquez, M. J. T., Lott, B., García-Vázquez, E., Grant, S. K., Iwamasa, G. Y., Molina, L. E., Ragsdale, B. L., & Vestal-Dowdy, E. (2006). Personal reflections: Barriers and strategies in increasing diversity in psychology. American Psychologist, 61(2), 157–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.2.157
This collaborative article examines the barriers to increasing diversity within the psychology profession and offers recommendations for creating a more inclusive and equitable field.
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Gaylord-Harden, N. K., Ragsdale, B. L., Mandara, J., Richards, M. H., & Petersen, A. C. (2007). Perceived support and internalizing symptoms in African American adolescents: Self-esteem and ethnic identity as mediators. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36(1), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9115-9
This study explored how support from family, peers, and the community contributes to the mental health of African American adolescents by strengthening self-esteem and a positive sense of ethnic identity.
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Mandara, J., Gaylord-Harden, N. K., Richards, M. H., & Ragsdale, B. L. (2009). The effects of changes in racial identity and self-esteem on changes in African American adolescents' mental health. Child Development, 80(6), 1660–1675. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01360.x
This study examined how changes in racial identity and self-esteem influenced the mental health of African American adolescents over time, highlighting the importance of positive identity development.
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Waite, R., Varghese, J., VanRiel, Y., Smith, T., Singletary, G., Shtayermman, O., Ragsdale, B. L., McCune, N. M., Holton, C., Ferguson, P. E., Brown, G. S., Brewington, J., Boston-Leary, K., & Beard, K. (2023). Promoting health equity with HBCUs: Breaking away from structural racism. Nursing Outlook, 71(2), Article 101913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2022.101913
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This collaborative article examines how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can help advance health equity by addressing structural racism, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.
ORCID​
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Chicago Community Trust (2005) — La Esperanza del Futuro (Hope for the Future), Child Abuse Unit for Studies, Education, and Services (CAUSES). $15,000
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), NIH (2002) — Disadvantaged Early Career Research Award. Two-year award. $35,000
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Supplement (2001) — Risky Context and Exposure to Community Violence. Research supplement awarded under Principal Investigator Maryse Richards. $143,513
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Invited Lectures
& Selected Presentations
Shared Experiences: Intersectionality in Socially Responsive Practice
Invited Keynote Speaker
10th Annual Diversity Conference, Adler University, Chicago, IL (2020)
Bringing My Buddhist Learnings to Understand Interlocking Oppressions
Guest Lecture
Communication: Inspiring and Guiding Change, Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC (2023)
Machinations of Whiteness: Exploring White Fragility as a Precursor to Mob Violence and Identity Development
National Council for Black Studies, 47th Annual Conference, Gainesville, FL (2023)
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Persistence Probability Modeling: Centering Student Success and Equity Outcomes
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success, Henderson, NV (2023)
The Organic Life of Invisible Whiteness: Why We Don't Know Who the White People on the Bus with Rosa Parks Were—and We Probably Never Will
Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association Conference, Mandurah, Australia (2013)
Surveillance, Trauma, and Collective Black Healing
Invited Presentation
Illinois Psychological Association Annual Convention, Lisle, IL (2019)
How Do Margins Intersect? Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender
Invited Symposium
American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada (2009)
Lessons Learned from 20-Plus Years as a Black Researcher
Invited Presentation
UCLA Brain Research Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and UCLA UC-HBCU Program (2020)
White Fragility: Lessons in Studying Power, Privilege, and Oppression
Invited Brown Bag Lecture
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI (2022)
Developing Cultural Competence in Medical Practice and Research
Invited Presentation
Student National Medical Association, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH (1999)
Professional Leadership & Service
Association of Black Psychologists – Chicago Chapter
President (2018–2020) • President-Elect (2017–2018) • Vice President • Executive Board Member • Membership Chair
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American Psychological Association
Membership Chair, Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race) • Co-Chair, Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs, Division 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) • Associate Newsletter Editor, Division 45 • Graduate Student Representative, Division 12 (Clinical Psychology)
Illinois Psychological Association
Co-Chair, Legislative Committee
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Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association • Association of Black Psychologists • New Hampshire Psychological Association • American Counseling Association • Society for Research on Adolescence • Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association
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Editorial & Grant Review
I have served as an ad hoc reviewer for Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Journal of Homosexuality, Sex Roles, Higher Learning Research Communications, and Understanding and Dismantling Privilege. I have also served as an ad hoc grant reviewer for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.