Introducing our new Adolescent Development Policy Council: 🟡 Sheida Elmi, @aspeninstitute.bsky.social 🟡 Jess Kirchner, @natlgovsassoc.bsky.social 🟡 Mai Xi Lee, @saccounty.gov Office of Education 🟡 Phil Matero, YouthBuild Charter School of CA 🟡 Jennifer Rodriguez, @youthlawcenter.bsky.social

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website! ✨ 💻This updated site and design include: 🔹 New search & filter features for resources 🔹 An integrated STEPS platform & library 🔹 Refreshed 'About Us,' Core Science & media pages ...and more! Explore now: developingadolescent.ucla.edu

What do adolescents really think about social media's upsides & downsides?🤳🎙️ In the last episode of our youth-led #Adaptivity podcast mini-series, YSCA members talk with Prof. Lucía Magis Weinberg about the advantages & challenges of using social media: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/podcast/our-...

In a new #TEDTalk, NSCA member Candice Odgers breaks down research about social media and youth mental health, and explains why social media bans may be disincentivizing tech companies from creating products that amplify benefits and limit risks for young users. Watch the full video below.

Relationships can be especially powerful during the adolescent years. In a new #Adaptivity podcast ep, YSCA members talk w/ Wayne State University Professor Hannah Schacter about the importance of friendships & romantic relationships during #adolescence: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/podcast/our-...

A new guide for funders, developed by Search Institute in collaboration with CDA & others, offers practical ways to align funding strategies with what young people need to thrive. Explore From Insights to Impact: Embedding Adolescent Development into Philanthropy: searchinstitute.org/resources-hu...

How can we support adolescents' mental health as they experience transitions? 🎙️ In a new #Adaptivity podcast episode, YSCA members talk with NSCA co-director @jenndsn.bsky.social about supporting youth as they explore new schools, friends, and roles: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/podcast/our-...

Our collaborator, Dr Nick Allen, the Ann Swindells Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at @uoregon.bsky.social, was recently featured in episode 19 of @cda-adolescence.bsky.social’s #Adaptivitypod. Take a listen! 🎧

How is decision-making during #adolescence unique? 🧠Examine the brain science behind decision-making, learn in what contexts adolescents are more likely to make risky decisions, & explore how to support healthy decisions in a new Science Spotlight: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

📽️ Watch our co-executive directors, Andrew Fuligni and Adriana Galván, share why #adolescence is an important window of opportunity and brain plasticity in a new UCLA Psychology Presents video titled, “The Opportunity of Adolescence”: www.psych.ucla.edu/news/ucla-ps...

How will #AI shape the next generation's ability to love, work & connect? 🤝 In a new #Adaptivitypod episode, host Ron Dahl talks with researchers about what young people need to become connected & thriving humans in a changing world. 🎙️Listen now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...

The Digital Technology During #Adolescence webinar is ONE WEEK away! Join the CDA + @TheSpringPoint on May 19 at 10:00 am PT for a webinar with Candice Odgers about the impacts of digital technology on young people. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join the CDA + @TheSpringPoint on May 19, at 10:00 am PT, for a webinar about 'Digital Technology During #Adolescence'! @UCIrvine Prof. Candice Odgers will unpack research about the risks & benefits of digital tech use among young people. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join our co-executive director Andrew Fuligni tomorrow, May 5, at the National Summit on Youth Well-Being for a virtual presentation titled "The Need to Contribute: How Meaningful Roles Support Adolescent Development"! Learn more and register now: web.cvent.com/event/4436e4...

Learn why #adolescence is a special and unique period in development straight from the experts! Join our co-executive directors, Andrew Fuligni and Adriana Galván, on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 pm PT, for a virtual presentation exploring "The Opportunity of Adolescence": ucla.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

How do we help adolescents build the skills they need to have meaningful careers and lives in this rapidly changing world? 🌎 In a new blog post, we explore how we can help young people navigate uncertain futures of work in an age of AI & new tech: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/na...

How can we strengthen the bridge that young people cross as they become adults? 🌉 Learn more in this fireside chat w/ our co-executive director, Adriana Galván, and the President & CEO of the @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social, Lisa Lawson: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/fi...

The Spring Research Roundup is out now! 🌸 Catch up on the latest adolescent development research with a curated selection of recent journal articles, summarized for our audiences. Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

How does adolescent brain development shape risk-taking & learning, & why do relationships + opportunities to explore matter during #adolescence? Explore these questions in a new interview with our co-executive director Adriana Galvan + @wallacefdn.bsky.social! wallacefoundation.org/resource/art...

How We Thrive, a new book by Stephanie Malia Krauss featuring research on sleep and contribution from our co-executive directors, is now available everywhere! Learn more: www.corwin.com/books/how-we...

The videos from the #2026Summit are out now! 📽️ Watch scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and young people discuss how to help adolescents find purpose in career pathways, connect to benefits and programs, navigate #AI and uncertain job markets, and more: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

As the world continues to grapple with issues around digital tech and young people, we are resharing our National Scientific Council on #Adolescence report, "Engaging, Safe, and Evidence-Based: What Science Tells Us Adolescents Need When Online": developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

A new article from the Cornell Chronicle highlights recent research from NSCA member Anthony Burrow on how often a sense of purpose fluctuates during #adolescence, and why it is important to provide young people with opportunities to engage in purposeful pursuits: news.cornell.edu/stories/2026...

Our research associate @neuralnat.bsky.social was at #NYEC2026 this week, leading the session "From Classmate to Coworker: Insights from Neuroscience to Support Youth During the Transition to Adulthood." Learn more about late #adolescence here: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

We're hiring an Academic Coordinator‼️ CDA is looking for an experienced instructional designer to serve as lead content developer for a new interdisciplinary training initiative focused on adolescent development for youth-serving professionals. Apply now: recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10920

Congratulations to NSCA member Linda Wilbrecht on being elected a 2025 AAAS Fellow! Linda was recognized “for distinguished contributions to the neurobiology of learning and adolescent development." Read more: neuroscience.berkeley.edu/news/three-n...

I had so much fun at @cda-adolescence.bsky.social last week speaking about socio-emotional development and the transition to adulthood along side the incredible heartoforegon.org and americasucceeds.org organizations!

Thank you to our AMAZING 2026 Adolescent Brain Development Summit attendees, moderators, and panelists!🧠💡 We heard some incredible sessions on topics ranging from navigating an uncertain future of work to decision-making in financial support and benefits access. Stay tuned for videos and blog posts!

Next up: a panel on navigating uncertainty in the future of work for young people @cda-adolescence.bsky.social including @candiceodgers.bsky.social, Mimi Haley + Jaime Jimenez from NYEC, Vicki Phillips from NCEE. Core message here is let young people lead. 1/

Incredible opening keynote for @cda-adolescence.bsky.social summit on supporting youth and economic opportunities in the transition to adulthood! Lisa Lawson, CEO @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social, spoke about their initiatives to help all young people thrive. 1/ www.aecf.org/series/thriv...

The 2026 Adolescent Brain Development Summit has begun! Thank you to all the attendees and panelists for being here to discuss 'Applying Developmental Science to Support Economic Opportunity.' #2026Summit

We are excited to convene researchers, policymakers, practitioners, youth-serving orgs, funders & young people on Thursday for our 2026 Adolescent Brain Development Summit titled Applying Developmental Science to Support Economic Opportunity!✨ Stay tuned for social from the event! 💙 #2026Summit

Are you at #SXSWEDU? Join us at 2:00 pm at the Austin Marriott Downtown - Waterloo Ballroom 3 for a live #Adaptivity podcast episode titled #Adolescence, AI, and Authentic Human Connection. This session counts for CPE credit. Learn more: schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP116...

ICYMI: Want to learn more about CDA's work & impact in 2025? Check out our Annual Report! Highlights include: 🔷 40+ state & federal legislators briefed 🔷 1.3M+ views on CDA & CDA-supported videos 🔷 5,400+ Adaptivity podcast downloads Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

Join us at @sxswedu.com in one week, Monday, March 9, at 2:00 pm CT, for a live #Adaptivity: The Science of #Adolescence podcast episode titled, 'Adolescence, #AI, and Authentic Human Connection. Learn more: schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP116... #SXSW2026 #SXSWEDU

Some of the most impactful relationships we have during adolescence are with the caring adults around us. But what makes these relationships effective at supporting young people? Read more in a blog post discussing the importance of caring adults: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/lo...

Congrats to CDA Advisory Board Member Karen Pittman on receiving @theneafoundation.bsky.social's Outstanding Service to Public Education Award! Previous recipients include Kent McGuire, Linda Darling-Hammond, Sesame Street, Mister Rogers & President Clinton. Read more: youthtoday.org/2026/02/qa-k...

The NEA Foundation is honored to announce Karen J. Pittman as the 2026 recipient of our Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education. Often called the "godmother" of positive youth development, Pittman has transformed how we support all young people to thrive. #PublicEducation #Education

In this post-pandemic era, it is more important than ever to apply research-based knowledge about brain and social development to support our young people. Learn more about supporting this emerging generation with our recent Science Spotlight: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

Interested in how adults can support positive development during adolescence? Check out our video of last week's Love in #Adolescence webinar discussing why love & support from caring adults is important and the characteristics of successful relationships: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TUf...

Congratulations to Ron Dahl, CDA's founding director, on receiving the 2026 Huttenlocher Award! ✨ The Huttenlocher Award reflects transformative contributions to the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience that inspire future generations of researchers through unique insights.

The CDA was featured in a new @uclacollege.bsky.social Magazine article highlighting researchers and centers at the university studying human connection. “Adolescents seek out bonding with other people,” said Adriana Galván, our co-executive director. Read more: newsroom.ucla.edu/magazine/res...

Join us TOMORROW, Thursday, February 12, at 10:00 am PT for our Love in #Adolescence webinar focusing on the importance of love and support from caring adults for adolescent development & future well-being! Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join us in ONE WEEK, on Thursday, February 12, at 10:00 am PT for our annual Love in #Adolescence webinar! Hear from experts, researchers, and young people about how loving & supportive relationships with caring adults can support positive development: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Announcing our 2025 Annual Report! ✨ This report highlights CDA’s projects, growth, and impact in 2025 as we worked to integrate developmental science into research, policies, programs, and public discourse to better support adolescents. Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

Join us in TWO WEEKS, on Thursday, February 12, at 10:00 am PT for our annual Love in #Adolescence webinar! 💙 This year's webinar will explore the importance of love and support from caring adults during adolescence. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Today's adolescents were children when the pandemic began and experienced disruptions to their social & academic lives. Our new spotlight offers insights from adolescent development that policymakers should keep in mind when supporting this group: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

Happy 2026! 🎉 Want to start the year by getting up to date with new research on adolescent development? Check out our Winter Research Roundup, where we provide an overview of studies we feel are relevant to our community. Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

​In 2020, COVID disrupted nearly every aspect of young people's lives. In a new science spotlight, we offer information about how the pandemic impacted youth and provide research-based insights to support this new cohort of adolescents. Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

Happy Holidays from the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent! We wish you a peaceful and joyful holiday season, and look forward to sharing more developmental science insights to support adolescents in the New Year. Thank you for being here and supporting our work. ✨