The next SISSA colloquium is scheduled for Thursday, 7 May 2026 from 14.00 to 15.00, in Aula Magna Budinich, SISSA, with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore from the University of Cambridge, UK.
The adolescent brain and mind
Adolescence is a period of biological, cognitive and social development, shaped by environmental influences including family, peers, education and broader cultural contexts. It is also the developmental stage during which many mental health difficulties first emerge, making it a critical window for early identification, prevention and intervention. This talk will examine how research in developmental cognitive neuroscience has advanced our understanding of adolescence, with a particular focus on heightened sensitivity to social feedback and increased vulnerability to environmental stressors. It will further consider how these scientific insights extend beyond the lab, with implications for education, public health and the legal system, where developmental evidence is increasingly informing policy. By linking empirical research to real-world contexts, the talk will argue for developmentally informed policies and practices that more effectively support young people across multiple domains of their lives.