Ricardo Ainslie

Ricardo Ainslie’s work involves a hybrid methodology that draws from psychoanalysis, ethnography, and documentary forms of inquiry to explore a variety of social and cultural topics, such as immigration, communities affected by social change, ethnic conflict, and hate crimes. He uses books, documentary films, and photographic exhibits to capture and depict his subjects. In 2002 the Texas Psychological Association recognized him with its “Outstanding Contribution to Science” award, and in 2009 the APA’s Division of Psychoanalysis recognized his work with its “Science Award.” Ricardo Ainslie was inducted into the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters in 2006. In 2010 he was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency. His books include No Dancin’ In Anson: An American Story of Race and Social Change (1995) and Long Dark Road: Bill King and Murder In Jasper, Texas (2004). His films include Crossover: A Story of Desegregation (1999); Looking North: Mexican Images of Immigration (2006); Ya Basta! Kidnapped in Mexico (2007); and The Mystery of Consciousness (2009)

Ricardo Ainslie is a native of Mexico City, Mexico. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. He is currently a Professor in the department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin where he is also an Affiliate Faculty at the Center for Mexican American Studies, the American Studies Program, and the Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies. He is ABPP in Psychoanalysis and affiliate faculty at the Houston-Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute. He also maintains a private practice in psychology and psychoanalysis in Austin.

Profile photograph by Matt Rainwaters