Our Mission
Our mission is to promote the integration of developmental science into policies, practices, and public discourse and advance a shared commitment to creating the conditions that support adolescents.
Our Vision
Our vision: We work toward a future in which every adolescent has what they need to build their future and contribute to their communities.
Who We Are
Our team consists of a group of professionals with expertise in policy, research, and science communications, led by our co-executive directors, neuroscientist Adriana Galván, PhD, and developmental scientist Andrew Fuligni, PhD. We support the activities of the National Scientific Council on Adolescence (NSCA), the Adolescent Development Policy Council, and the Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence (YSCA). Learn more about us on Our Team page.
Who We Work With
- Decision-makers involved in policies, programs, and public systems
- Traditional media reporters and other public influencers
- Public and private funders
- Adolescent-focused scholars
- Organizers who connect those working to support adolescents
What We Do
- Identify, review, and explain research about adolescent development
- Track emerging issues affecting adolescents
- Create and share content and learning experiences with those working to support youth
- Cultivate trusting relationships with youth-focused organizations and leaders
- Provide information to adolescent-focused scholars about using science in policy and practice
- Promote a more accurate, science-based narrative about adolescence
- Advise and participate in efforts to advance policy and practice that support adolescents
- Help youth understand and communicate the science of
adolescence
What Change We Want to See
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
- Archive of research into adolescent development and interventions
- Regularly refined set of policy and practice
areas for applying the science - Accurate, engaging, accessible content for our key audiences
- Tools and events that support connection,
collaboration, and the use of research insights
by our audiences - Cooperative relationships with
organizations and leaders working to support
young people
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
- Decision-makers apply insights from
developmental science to their policies,
programs, and practices - Funders prioritize and increase funding for
adolescent development in their work - The media and others who communicate
about youth have ready access to the science of adolescent development - Adolescence is widely understood as a period of critical learning and development when science-informed investment can support positive futures for adolescents and their communities
