News
The Hidden Evolutionary Advantages of the Teenage Brain
February 21, 2024NSCA member Linda Wilbrecht, PhD, talked with writer Tom Leslie at New Scientist about how our brains during adolescence are particularly suited to help us learn and explore in the midst of uncertainty.
Press Releases
February 25, 2025: Announcing the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent’s 2024 Annual Report
January 17, 2023: New Guides Help Organizations Build Effective Youth Engagement Programs
August 16, 2021: New Report Examines Intersection of Anti-Black Racism on Youth Development
November 30, 2020: Center for the Developing Adolescent Announces New Advisory Board Members
October 1, 2020: Center for the Developing Adolescent Announces New Leadership
Stay in the Know
A Campus Space for LGBTQ Students Closed. A ‘Women’s Community Center’ Took Its Place.
February 12, 2024Research shows that students do better in school when they feel safe, and LGBTQ+ centers make them feel both safe and seen, explains NSCA member Stephen Russell in this piece about what is lost when diversity, equity, and inclusion bans take effect at colleges and universities.
The Impact of Sleep on Your Teen’s Mental Health
February 9, 2024A new article from CNET explaining the importance of sleep for young people cites our summary of the science of adolescent sleep.
The Contribution Project Returns to Cornell, Expands to Two SUNYs
February 7, 2024“It is our sense that for students, contributing in the ways they desire helps fuel their personal growth, well-being and purpose,” says Anthony Burrow, PhD, member of the National Scientific Council on Adolescence, about the return and expansion of The Contribution Project.
Cultivating Purpose in Community Settings
November 3, 2023Changing the Odds Remix's Katherine Plog Martinez explains the essential role of outside-of-school, community-based programs in helping young people cultivate their sense of purpose.
Adolescents who have a sense of purpose are happier and healthier. How can we help?
November 2, 2023Helping young people develop a sense of purpose in life could build their resilience and prevent declines in mental health. A new report from the National Scientific Council on Adolescence (NSCA) outlines why a having sense of purpose is a key aspect of healthy adolescent development and describes what adults can do to help.
The Stages of Adolescent Brain Development With UCLA’s Adriana Galván, PhD
October 24, 2023In this presentation for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, our Co-executive Director Adriana Galván presents insights into adolescent brain development and shows how better understanding this developmental period can inform and improve programs and services focused on youth well-being.
How Teenagers’ Lack of Sleep is Taking a Toll on Their Mental Health
October 4, 2023Our Co-Executive Directors, Adriana Galván and Andrew Fuligni, spoke with the PBS NewsHour’s William Brangham about why sleep is so important to youth mental health.
Here’s Why Your Teen Overshares Online, and Why That Could Be Good
September 18, 2023National Scientific Council on Adolescence member Jacqueline Nesi talks about how sharing online can be a way for young people to find social support.
How the Adolescent Brain Supports the Transition Into Adulthood
July 13, 2023In April 2023, our Co-Executive Director Dr. Adriana Galván talked at the Utah Youth in Transition Policy Summit about what we know about adolescent brain development, and how we can use that knowledge to improve policies for transition-age youth.