NCID-1133
Myles Durkee
Assistant Professor of Psychology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
University of Michigan
Education/Degree:
1 Educational Psychology (University of Virginia)
About
Dr. Myles Durkee is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. His research examines cultural invalidations and identity threats perpetrated by in-group and out-group members to determine how these experiences are uniquely associated with important psychosocial outcomes (e.g., mental health, identity development, & academic achievement). He also examines the process of identity development during late adolescence and emerging adulthood to determine how social identities are influenced by interpersonal relationships (e.g., peer & family dynamics) and environmental factors (e.g., school contexts & racial climate). Dr. Durkee received a BA in psychology from Pomona College and a PhD in educational psychology: applied developmental science from the University of Virginia. He completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago through an external award from the William T. Grant Foundation. He also completed a second postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan through an award from the University of Michigan Vice Provost Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Current Work
Dr. Myles Durkee investigates two primary lines of research. The first line of research examines the psychological experience of cultural invalidations (i.e., negative remarks that invalidate one's membership within a specific social group or social identity). In particular, Dr. Durkee examines cultural invalidations that challenge group membership within racial/ethnic groups. One of the most common cultural invalidations experienced among people of color is the accusation of "acting White" and this label implies that the target recipient is less culturally authentic for demonstrating behaviors and attributes that are non-prototypical for their racial/ethnic group. Dr. Durkee's research examines important psychological implications associated with exposure to cultural invalidations such as academic achievement, racial/ethnic identity development, and mental health. Dr. Durkee's second line of research examines college transition experiences and college persistence of students of color enrolling at predominantly White colleges and universities. This line research aims to identify critical risk factors and protective factors that significantly influence college enrollment trajectories from initial enrollment to degree completion.