Dr. Raphael Travis, Jr., LCSW

Professor/Interim School Director

Raphael Travis is a Professor at Texas State University in the School of Social Work. His research, practice and consultancy work emphasize healthy development over the life-course, resilience, and civic engagement. He also investigates creative arts, especially Hip-Hop culture, as a source of health and well-being for individuals and communities. He is author of the book “The Healing Power of Hip Hop” and co-editor of “Music for Inclusion and Healing in Schools and Beyond” and “The Future of Youth Violence Prevention: A Mixtape for Practice, Policy, and Research.” His latest research, linking music engagement and well-being, appears in a variety of academic journals and book chapters.

The Collaborative Research for Education, Art, and Therapeutic Engagement (CREATE) Research Lab, at Texas State University (San Marcos, TX, USA) led by Dr. Travis, partners with researchers, educators, artists, and community-based organizations focused on better understanding the educational, health, and therapeutic benefits of music and art engagement. The CREATE Lab has multiple active research projects including studies that build upon the lab’s on-campus music studio. The studio, complete with professional quality music technology, hardware and software, makes constructing, recording, remixing, and other ways of engaging music possible. Research outcomes of interest are healthy development, empowerment, and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

To read more information on Dr. Travis click on the link below:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Raphael_Travis

https://www.socialwork.txst.edu/websites/r-travis/travis-bio.html