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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 14h

In the latest episode of our #Adaptivity podcast, authors of The Disengaged Teen talk with host Ron Dahl about why disengagement might happen, and how we can harness adolescents' natural proclivities to spark genuine engagement.
Listen now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 7d

In a new Science Spotlight, we explain the consequences of food insecurity during #adolescence and offer ways to use scientific insights to help ensure that adolescents get the reliable nutrition their developing brains and bodies need.

Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

STEPS for Youth Science Spotlight: Providing Stable Access to Healthy Food Supports Adolescents’ Brain Development as Well as Physical and Mental Health

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 15d

In the latest episode of The @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social's podcast #CaseyCast, Co-Executive Director Adriana Galván speaks with the foundation’s CEO, Lisa Lawson, about the adolescent brain, stress, and systems that support young people!

Listen now: www.aecf.org/blog/adriana...

Adriana Galván on the Adolescent Brain, Stress and Systems that Support Young People

UCLA’s Adriana Galván joins Lisa Lawson to unpack adolescent brain science and how schools, justice and social systems can help young people thrive.

www.aecf.org

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 19d

Interested in articles about issues affecting youth and youth development?
Our colleagues at #YouthToday offer a diverse range of content, including news, opinions, and updates for people who believe that when youth thrive, we all thrive.
Sign up for their newsletter today: youthtoday.org/subscribe/

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 22d

Engaging young people in the evaluation of programs can create effective and informed services.
Read how to partner with young people to both support their development and improve program design with our guide, “Youth Engagement in Evaluation”: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/assets/uploa...

Youth Engagement in Evaluation: A Guide for Youth-Serving Organizations

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 27d

In a new blog post, students who attended the Summer Research Boot Camp explore the reasons why diverse friendships during #adolescence can be powerful drivers of inclusive mindsets, & offer ways we can promote these friendships in school settings: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/in...

Students from the 2025 Summer Research Boot camp pose on the UCLA campus.

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Sep 5

What if the secret to improving mental health during #adolescence was just…more sleep?💤
Read from students who attended the Summer Research Boot Camp about the importance of sleep & hear proposed interventions to help young people get more of it: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/us...

High school students at the 2025 Summer Research Boot Camp gather in an MRI viewing room to learn more about brain scans.

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Sep 4

Co-Executive Director Adriana Galván was featured in a @uclacollege.bsky.social Newsroom article and podcast that provides insights into adolescent development, memory, and the fight to protect our brains!
Read more: newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/a-mi...

UCLA Newsroom article, "A Mind of One's Own" cover photo: Adriana Galván and other researchers

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Sep 3

In a new #Adaptivity podcast episode, host Ron Dahl speaks with the authors of The Disengaged Teen about how we can harness adolescents’ natural motivations for agency and connection to spark authentic engagement in education! ✨
Listen now🎙: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...

Adaptivity podcast episode, "Sparking Engagement," with host Ron Dahl and guests Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop.

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Sep 2

Interested in knowing more about the teenage brain? 🧠
Sign up today for the Teen Brain Bootcamp, a free science-based email course from @knowablemag.bsky.social that features research and insights from our Co-Executive Director Adriana Galván!
Learn more below ⬇️

Knowable Magazine @knowablemag.bsky.social · Aug 22

📣 Teachers and parents! Want to understand how teens think, learn and grow?

Then you'll want to take our FREE email course on the science of adolescent brain development.

🧠 Sign up today: knowablemagazine.org/teen-brain-b...

Register for Teen Brain Bootcamp

Knowable Magazine explores the real-world significance of scholarly work through a journalistic lens. A digital magazine from Annual Reviews.

knowablemagazine.org

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 28

During the 2025 Summer Research Boot Camp, high school students came together for two weeks to learn about the developing adolescent brain!
Read the student's blog post about what they learned & how it will inform their perspectives moving forward: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/ex...

Students at the 2025 Summer Research Boot Camp on Adolescent Development examine sheep brains.

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 26

This back-to-school season, we want to highlight last year's National Scientific Council on #Adolescence brief, which offers research-based recommendations for middle-school educators to promote positive mental health among early adolescents! developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

Early Adolescence: A Window of Opportunity for Educators to Support Positive Mental Health

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 22

The last day to vote for our @sxsw.com & @sxswedu.com proposal is THIS Sunday, August 24‼️ Let's focus the conversations around AI on promoting healthy development in our young people. Vote for "Adolescence, AI, and the Future of Human Connection" today via SXSW's #PanelPicker!

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 13

Vote for the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent's @sxsw.com and @sxswedu.com session proposal: “#Adolescence, AI, and the Future of Human Connection.”
Help keep the well-being of our young people at the center of these conversations on AI and vote today♥️: participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...

Vote for our SXSW Proposal: "Adolescence, AI, and the Future of Human Connection."

Reposted by UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent

Dr. Jennifer Pfeifer @jenndsn.bsky.social · Aug 21

Excited to share that my TEDx talk is finally available online. I loved sharing what the science shows us: that it's time to reframe adolescence - from problem to ✨ potential ✨ 1/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8V...

The surprising science of adolescent brains | Jennifer Pfeifer | TEDxPortland

YouTube video by TEDx Talks

www.youtube.com

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 21

Our National Scientific Council on #Adolescence co-director @jenndsn.bsky.social spoke at TEDxPortland about the incredible adolescent brain!
“Adolescence isn’t a problem to be solved; it’s a transformative period of growth and opportunity," said Pfeifer.
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8V...

The surprising science of adolescent brains | Jennifer Pfeifer | TEDxPortland

YouTube video by TEDx Talks

www.youtube.com

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 19

This year, we submitted a pitch to @sxsw.com and @sxswedu.com on “#Adolescence, #AI, & the Future of Human Connection.”
Vote for our proposal TODAY via SXSW’s #PanelPicker to help keep the well-being of our young people at the center of these conversations on AI: participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...

Vote for our SXSW and SXSW EDU 2026 proposal, "Adolescence, AI, and the Future of Human Connection."

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 14

In a new article, our co-executive director Adriana Galván explains the neurological basis for why adolescents take risks and how risk-taking can be essential for learning and positive development during this period!
Read more below.

BrainFacts @brainfacts.org · Aug 13

In adolescence, exploring and taking risks leads to new experiences that are critical for forming identity and becoming independent. vist.ly/4398a

Teens Take Risks. We Should Be Happy They Do.

In adolescence, exploring and taking risks leads to new experiences that are critical for forming identity and becoming independent.

www.brainfacts.org

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 13

Vote for the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent's @sxsw.com and @sxswedu.com session proposal: “#Adolescence, AI, and the Future of Human Connection.”
Help keep the well-being of our young people at the center of these conversations on AI and vote today♥️: participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 12

In a new STEPS (Science to Enhance Policy Success) Science Spotlight, we explore how developing a positive racial and ethnic identity during #adolescence can support higher academic achievement and positive mental and physical health.
Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

STEPS for Youth Science Spotlight: Developing a Positive Racial and Ethnic Identity During Adolescence Can Support Healthy Mental and Physical Development and Academic Achievement

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 5

In July, our co-executive director spoke at a webinar on the science of #contribution hosted by Spring Point Partners!
Learn more about how contributing during #adolescence can support health & well-being in our new blog post based on the event: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/ho...

Teen contributing by prepping food for herself and her family.

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Aug 1

The first half of 2025 has been busy at the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent! 💫
Catch up on our top resources, news, and podcasts from the last six months in our Mid-Year Recap newsletter: mailchi.mp/developingad...

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Jul 31

Congratulations to National Scientific Council on #Adolescence member @stephen-t-russell.bsky.social on being appointed the new director of the T. Denny Sanford School of Social & Family Dynamics at Arizona State University!
Read more: news.asu.edu/b/20250729-s...

Stephen T. Russell named new director of the Sanford School | ASU News

Stephen T. Russell, a leading scholar in adolescent development, is joining Arizona State University as the new director of the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics. As the Sanford Sc...

news.asu.edu

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Jul 17

UVA professor and CDA friend Nancy Deutsch was quoted in a @washprobs.bsky.social article about the Virginia law restricting social media during #adolescence.
“If teens are doing something, they’re doing it to meet a developmental need,” says Deutsch.
Read more: www.washingtonian.com/2025/06/09/c...

Can Virginia Really Ban Kids From Social Media? - Washingtonian

Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill prohibiting cellphones in the state's public schools. (DC Public Schools just announced that it will implement its own cellphone ban starting in the 20...

www.washingtonian.com

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Jul 15

Interested in the latest research on adolescent development?💡🧠
Check out our Summer Research Roundup, a curated list of new research from the field of #adolescence. This season's issue highlights sleep, prosocial behavior, adversity, and more:
developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

Summer 2025 Research Roundup from the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent

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UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent @cda-adolescence.bsky.social · Jul 7

One week away from the 'The Science of Contribution' webinar featuring CDA's co-executive director, Andrew Fuligni! 🧠
Join Spring Point Partners on July 14, from 10–11:00 am PT, to learn how contribution is important for adolescent development.
Register now: www.ticketleap.events/tickets/spri...

July 14 from 10:00 – 11:00 am PT: Spring Point Partners' webinar on 'The Science of Contribution,' featuring the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent's co-executive director, Andrew Fuligni