Dr. Rachel Bradley is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

After completing my PhD in Experimental Social Psychology at Saint Louis University in 2014, I was full-time faculty for six years at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where I earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor prior to leaving the institution. 

My research interests include exploring Black racial/ethnic identity and LGBTQIA+ sexual identity. I also conduct research examining stereotyping, stigma, and colorism, also known as skin tone bias, in minority (e.g. People of Color) and majority populations (e.g. White Americans). 

Specifically, I focus on understanding the meaning and significance that individuals place on the color and tone of one's skin and the conclusions they draw about others based on this uncontrollable phenotypic trait. 

In addition to these interests, I also study topics related to the scholarship of teaching and learning psychology, namely the exist and influence of levity on the classroom environment and learning. 

In addition to research, my teaching interests include research methods, social psychology, psychology of gender, multicultural psychology, and group dynamics. 

I am a member of several professional societies related to psychology and education based research in biology. I also engage in a variety of service activities professionally with my current institution and within the larger community.

When my work concludes each day, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, Wally and ThudButt and my wonderful husband Jacob.