Lori A. Barker

Dr. Lori A. Barker received her B.A. in psychology from Yale University and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA. After receiving her degree, Dr. Barker spent one additional year at UCLA as a National Institute of Mental Health postdoctoral research fellow.

Dr. Barker’s primary area of interest is multicultural psychology, and she is the co-author of an undergraduate textbook on that subject titled, Multicultural Psychology: Understanding Our Diverse Communities (Oxford University Press). She is also the author of Obama on Our Minds: The Impact of Obama on the Psyche of America (Oxford University Press).Her research focuses on multicultural attitudes, factors that influence the effectiveness of multicultural education and diversity training programs, and the psychological impact of representation (e.g., diverse presidential candidates). Dr. Barker regularly serves as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant for corporations, community, and professional organizations. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice where she specializes in providing culturally sensitive, responsive, inclusive, and affirming therapy.

Dr. Barker is a past president of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), a fellow of the organization, and past recipient of their Outstanding Teaching Award. Other awards include Outstanding Advisor, Psi Chi Western Region; the Jose A. Gomez Faculty Excellence Award, Cal Poly Pomona, College of Letters Arts and Social Sciences; Outstanding Advisor, Office of Student Life, Cal Poly Pomona; Professor of the Year, Psi Chi, Cal Poly Pomona Chapter; and Diversity Champion, Cal Poly Pomona.