The BRAVE lab conducts translational research designed to foster positive, accepting communities free from bullying and other harmful behaviors. Studies conducted through the BRAVE lab focus on understanding and addressing the complex personal, social, and cultural factors contributing to bullying across the continuum (i.e., bullies, victims, bully-victims, bystanders, uninvolved). Examining these dynamics across the ecological levels (e.g., individual, relational, community, and societal) promotes the advancement of practical solutions to foster healthy relationships within families, schools, and communities. The BRAVE Lab seeks to mitigate bullying by advocating for systemic change through local, state, national, and international collaboration. We explore evidence-based interventions and aim to create lasting cultural shifts that reduce the negative impact of bullying on all involved individuals and the overall community climate. By engaging individuals across all ecological systems, we work toward building environments where individuals feel valued, supported, and safe.
The BRAVE Lab promotes a unique approach to bullying research by investigating effective interventions for both victimized students and students who are bullying others. Focusing on the entire bullying continuum is critical in order to comprehensively address school bullying. To support this mission, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the BRAVE Lab (d.b.a. UNL Bullying Research and Victim Empowerment [BRAVE] Lab Fund).
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Our Lab
While our lives as graduate students, faculty members, and researchers keep us very busy, we also like to explore fun things offered in Lincoln and beyond! The pictures included represent a snapshot of the fun things our research lab have done together. We also do an annual food study for fun, so we can try out food and beverages in the local area. An example food study is the Better Burger Study. To learn more about current members and alumnus of the BRAVE Lab, click here.
Personal Empowerment
Embracing oneself serves as an important starting point for embracing others. The BRAVE Lab investigates the factors that impact self-esteem, self-efficacy, and other facets critical to developing and maintaining a healthy sense of identity. It also explores ways of combating bullying, anxiety, depression, and other barriers to personal acceptance.
Cultural Humility
The BRAVE Lab considers how a variety of interrelated systems – from communities to schools to the media – establish cultural codes and environments that cultivate or impede attitudes of acceptance. The lab also examines how these conventions and contexts shape the social experiences and personal perspectives of individuals.
Social Empowerment
Interacting with family, friends, classmates, co-workers, and other groups influences how people perceive themselves and the world around them. Accordingly, the BRAVE Lab researches and develops prevention and intervention approaches designed to cultivate understanding, acceptance, and an appreciation for individuality.
