Raphael Travis Jr.

Professor

Raphael Travis is a professor in the College of Education and Human Development and faculty director of the Master of Social Work program at University of Delaware. His research, practice and consultancy work emphasize healthy development over the life-course, resilience and civic engagement. He also investigates the 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. 

Dr. Travis also leads The Collaborative Research for Education, Art, and Therapeutic Engagement (CREATE) Research Lab at UD, which partners with researchers, educators, artists and community-based organizations interested in the educational, health and therapeutic benefits of music and art engagement. The CREATE Lab emphasizes both basic and applied research. The lab, complete with professional-quality music technology, hardware and software, allows users to practice and test music-based, therapeutic prevention or intervention strategies and engage in the creative arts. 

Dr. Travis is also the founder and director of FlowStory, PLLC. FlowStory promotes the empowering aspects of Hip Hop culture as a critical tool for learning, growth and well-being across all ages, but especially with youth in family, education, therapy, after-school and summer program settings.

Educational Background

• Dr.PH., Public Health, concentration in Community Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 2007
• M.S.W., Social Work, concentration in Interpersonal Practice, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1997
• B.A., Psychology, Sociology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1995

Recent Professional Experience

• Professor, College of Education and Human Development, University of Delaware, 2025-present
• Faculty Director, M.S.W. Program, College of Education and Human Development, University of Delaware, 2025-present
• Professor, Texas State University, 2020-2025
• Interim School Director, School of Social Work, Texas State University, 2024-2025
• Director, M.S.W. Program, Texas State University, 2019-2023
• Executive Director, FlowStory, PLLC, 2013-present