Claire Reed

Claire Reed, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology and the Founding Director of the Institute for Youth Development and Social Justice at the University of California, Berkeley. Claire has dedicated her professional life to this institution since she joined in 2005. She served as the Head of Student Mentorship Programs from 2010 to 2019.

Claire's research delves into youth empowerment, community resilience, and social justice initiatives, particularly focusing on how young people can be catalysts for change within their communities. Her groundbreaking 2008 paper, "Youth Activism and the Pathways to Social Change," became a widely cited work in the field. In collaboration with several colleagues, her article "Building Bridges: The Role of Education in Urban Renewal" earned the prestigious "Innovative Research Award" from the National Association of Community Educators in 2013. Claire was invited to share her insights at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2022. In recognition of her contributions, the Society for Community Research and Action bestowed upon Claire the "Exemplary Leadership" and "Public Service Address" awards in 2024.

Claire has authored more than 100 scholarly articles and multiple books. Her book, "Empowering Youth: Strategies for Fostering Active Citizenship" (2016, 2nd Ed., San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass), received the Outstanding Educational Resource award from the American Educational Research Association and was translated into Spanish. Her collaborative effort, "Urban Sociology: Understanding Cities in the Modern Age" (2020, Boston, MA: Cengage [with Dr. Elena Martinez]), is now in its fifth edition. "Redefining Resilience: Stories of Strength from Urban Communities" (2nd Ed. 2023, New York: Routledge) has been adapted into Portuguese and Mandarin. Claire's latest publication, "Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Guide for Nurturing Adolescent Advocacy and Activism" (Berkeley: University of California Press), launched in March 2024, offers practical advice for educators and parents alike.

Claire serves on the editorial board of numerous academic journals and is currently the Social Science Editor for the Journal of Community Psychology. She has conducted workshops and delivered keynote speeches across North America and Europe. Beyond her academic pursuits, Claire is actively involved in community projects as a consultant on youth programs, an advocate for social justice, and a mentor to aspiring psychologists. She is also a proud mother of three children.