Biography

Raven Lynch is an assistant professor of instruction in the School of Social Work within the College of Public Health at Temple University. Dr. Lynch has a practice background in mental health and youth empowerment programming, a research background in Black and multiracial youth development, and engages in activism and scholarship around a variety of marginalized populations and identities.

Raven uses critical theory frameworks in her research and teaching, with an aim to produce scholarship and students that critically analyze and approach social systems with a lens that hones in on injustice and inequities. For her research, she seeks to answer questions about belonging, identity development and healthy coping skills, especially for multiracial youth. For her teaching, she engages various teaching strategies to meet students where they are, utilizes storytelling as a learning tool and aims to humanize the student-teacher relationship. Dr. Lynch hopes to have her students leave her classes feeling competent and empowered, but still curious and motivated to be lifelong learners. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Lynch has experience with course development, student advising, DEI initiatives and youth mentoring. Her personal philosophies for social work practice are "social work is hard work, but it’s the heart work," and "service is the rent we pay for living."

Education

• PhD, Social Work, The Ohio State University
• MSW, The Ohio State University
• BA, Psychology, The Ohio State University

Curriculum Vitae