Luke Rapa

Associate Professor

Office: 414F Old Main, 101 Gantt
Phone: Dept. (864) 656-7645
Email: lrapa@clemson.edu
Vita: Click Here

Educational Background

Ph.D. Educational Psychology
Michigan State University 2016

MA English
Grand Valley State University 2010

BA English
Grand Valley State University 2003

Profile

Dr. Rapa's research rests at the intersection of developmental and educational psychologies. Broadly, Rapa studies how contextual, sociocultural, and sociopolitical factors shape key developmental and psychological processes and promote or constrain adolescent's development and academic success.

SELECT RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Rapa, L. J., Ura, S. K., & Jerasa, S. E. (2026). Open classroom climate: A developmental asset and necessary feature of public schools. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 13(2). Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322261470340

Rapa, L. J. (2026). Open classroom climate and democratic education: Implications for research and practice. A response to “Reassessing the open classroom climate in civic education: Insights from 60 studies.” Democracy & Education, 34(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.65214/2164-7992.1796

Graves, K. A., Rapa, L. J., Katsiyannis, A., & Gage, N. (2025). Predictors of offense severity, adjudication, incarceration, and repeat referrals for juveniles: A multi-cohort replication study. Remedial and Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325251359969

Rapa, L. J., Katsiyannis, A., Scott, S. N., & Durham, O. (2024). School Shootings in the United States: 1997-2022. Pediatrics, 153(4), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-064311

Courses Taught

EDF3350 - Adolescent Development
EDF8770 - Experimental and Non-Experimental Research Methods in Education
EDF9750 - Mixed Methods
EDF9010 - Learning Sciences Seminar I
EDF9020 - Learning Sciences Seminar II
EDHD9310 - Assets and Constraints: An Exploration of Socio-Contextual Factors Shaping Learning and Development

Research Interests

Adolescence
Positive Youth Development
Critical Consciousness
Research Design & Research Methods

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