UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent
@cda-adolescence.bsky.social
Working to improve adolescent health, education, and well-being through developmental science.
Pinned
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...
Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
How can we support the early adolescents who were kindergarteners during COVID as they transition to middle school?
This new article quotes NSCA members during a UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent media briefing last week.
Read the full article below ⬇️
This new article quotes NSCA members during a UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent media briefing last week.
Read the full article below ⬇️
The Middle School Transition Is Tough. How Educators Can Help: A new partnership aims to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school.
The Middle School Transition Is Tough. How Educators Can Help
A new partnership aims to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school.
www.edweek.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
How can we support the early adolescents who were kindergarteners during COVID as they transition to middle school?
This new article quotes NSCA members during a UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent media briefing last week.
Read the full article below ⬇️
This new article quotes NSCA members during a UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent media briefing last week.
Read the full article below ⬇️
CDA founder and #Adaptivity podcast host Ron Dahl was on the @gettingsmart.bsky.social podcast discussing how #adolescence is a critical developmental phase that presents unique opportunities for fostering agency, contribution, & authentic mattering!
🎙️Listen now: www.gettingsmart.com/podcast/rona...
🎙️Listen now: www.gettingsmart.com/podcast/rona...
Ronald Dahl on The Adolescence Window
Explore why adolescence is a window of opportunity for learning, agency, and mattering with Dr. Ronald Dahl on this insightful episode of the Getting Smart Podcast.
www.gettingsmart.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
CDA founder and #Adaptivity podcast host Ron Dahl was on the @gettingsmart.bsky.social podcast discussing how #adolescence is a critical developmental phase that presents unique opportunities for fostering agency, contribution, & authentic mattering!
🎙️Listen now: www.gettingsmart.com/podcast/rona...
🎙️Listen now: www.gettingsmart.com/podcast/rona...
CDA founder Ron Dahl spoke on the Gen Change podcast hosted by @euralumni.bsky.social! During the episode, host @drkaylagreen.bsky.social and Dahl delve into the unique strengths and capacities that make adolescents potential agents of change.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/2BCa...
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/2BCa...
E2: Ready or Not? Youths' Unique Strengths and Capacities
open.spotify.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
CDA founder Ron Dahl spoke on the Gen Change podcast hosted by @euralumni.bsky.social! During the episode, host @drkaylagreen.bsky.social and Dahl delve into the unique strengths and capacities that make adolescents potential agents of change.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/2BCa...
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/2BCa...
Today, our friends at @scholarsnstory.bsky.social released their annual Teens and Screens Report! This report is based on a survey of 1,500 adolescents & explores young people's perspectives on different media & media use. 🎬
Check out the full report: www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/teens-screen...
Check out the full report: www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/teens-screen...
2025 Teens and Screens Report — Center for Scholars & Storytellers @ UCLA
www.scholarsandstorytellers.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Today, our friends at @scholarsnstory.bsky.social released their annual Teens and Screens Report! This report is based on a survey of 1,500 adolescents & explores young people's perspectives on different media & media use. 🎬
Check out the full report: www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/teens-screen...
Check out the full report: www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/teens-screen...
Interested in the latest research on adolescent development?
🧠🍂 Check out our Fall Research Roundup for a recap of new studies that highlight the importance of adaptive risk taking, close parental relationships, support in early high school & more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
🧠🍂 Check out our Fall Research Roundup for a recap of new studies that highlight the importance of adaptive risk taking, close parental relationships, support in early high school & more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
October 21, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Interested in the latest research on adolescent development?
🧠🍂 Check out our Fall Research Roundup for a recap of new studies that highlight the importance of adaptive risk taking, close parental relationships, support in early high school & more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
🧠🍂 Check out our Fall Research Roundup for a recap of new studies that highlight the importance of adaptive risk taking, close parental relationships, support in early high school & more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
In our new CDA resource, we provide information about the unique characteristics, experiences & developmental needs of adolescents from immigrant families, and provide research-based recommendations on how to best support this population.
Read now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
Read now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
October 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In our new CDA resource, we provide information about the unique characteristics, experiences & developmental needs of adolescents from immigrant families, and provide research-based recommendations on how to best support this population.
Read now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
Read now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...
Limiting data on food insecurity will make it harder to create informed, research-based systems that support the nutritional needs of our families & adolescents.
Learn how food insecurity uniquely impacts adolescent development in our new resource: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
Learn how food insecurity uniquely impacts adolescent development in our new resource: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
October 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Limiting data on food insecurity will make it harder to create informed, research-based systems that support the nutritional needs of our families & adolescents.
Learn how food insecurity uniquely impacts adolescent development in our new resource: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
Learn how food insecurity uniquely impacts adolescent development in our new resource: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
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...
Listen now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...
October 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
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...
Listen now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...
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...
Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
October 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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...
Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...
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...
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
September 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
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...
Listen now: www.aecf.org/blog/adriana...
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/
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/
September 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
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/
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/
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...
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...
September 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
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...
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...
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...
September 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
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...
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...
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...
September 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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...
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...
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...
Read more: newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/a-mi...
September 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
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...
Read more: newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/a-mi...
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...
Listen now🎙: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...
September 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM
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...
Listen now🎙: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...
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 ⬇️
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 ⬇️
📣 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...
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
September 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
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 ⬇️
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 ⬇️
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...
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...
August 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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...
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...
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/...
August 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
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/...
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!
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...
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...
August 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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!
Reposted by UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent
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...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8V...
The surprising science of adolescent brains | Jennifer Pfeifer | TEDxPortland
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
August 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
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...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8V...
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...
“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
August 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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...
“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...
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 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...
August 19, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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 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...
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.
Read more below.
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
August 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
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.
Read more below.
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...
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...
August 13, 2025 at 9:48 PM
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...
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...