TOPIC NETWORKS
Topic Networks
The goal of the Topic
Networks is to bring together SSEA members
who have common interests in a specific area
of emerging adulthood research or practice.
The activities of the Topic Networks will
depend on the ideas of the members, but may
include, for example, sharing draft
manuscripts for comments and suggestions;
collaborating on papers and grants; sharing
best practices for direct work with emerging
adults; letting members know about important
recent articles; collaborating on symposia
to submit to an SSEA conference; or working
together to organize a preconference
session.
If you would like to join any of the Topic
Networks below, please contact the SSEA
Coordinator,
coordinator@ssea.org. You may join as
many as you like. We also welcome your ideas
for more Topic Networks. Please note that
YOU MUST BE AN SSEA MEMBER
to join a Topic Network.
| Topic Network | Chair | Affiliation | Emerging Scholar Co-Chair | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identity Issues | Joe Schwab | Bridgewater State University | Johanna Carlsson | Gothenburg University, Sweden |
| Parents and Family | Cliff McKinney | Mississippi State University | Melanie Stearns | Mississippi State University |
| Mental Health | Larry Forthun | University of Florida | Yesel Yoon | Montclair State U |
| Work, Career, and Finance | Jinhee Kim | University of Maryland | Ashley LeBaron | University of Arizona |
| Study Abroad | Claire Lyons | James Madison University | Itzel Eguiliz | TBD |
| Media Uses | Chia-Chen Yang | University of Memphis | TBD | TBD |
| Substance Use and Abuse | Laura Holt; Adam Rogers | Trinity College; BYU | Olivia Diggs | Ohio State University |
| Sexuality | Spencer Olmstead | University at Tennessee, Knoxville | Kristin Anders | Kansas State University |
| Prevention and Intervention | Michael J. Cleveland | Washington State University | Ina Koning | Utrecht University, Netherlands |
| Romantic Relationships | Brian Willoughby | Brigham Young University | Scott Sibley | Northern Illinois University |
| Aging Out of Care | Steve Rios | Florida Atlantic University | TBD | TBD |
| Religion and Spirituality | Carolyn Barry | Loyola University | Ofra Mayseless | University of Haifa |
| Student Affairs/College Student Development | Joseph Murray | Bucknell University | Jarrett Warshaw | University of Georgia |
| Health Promotion | Joe Malone | Middle Tennessee State University | Amber Dorsey | Middle Tennessee State University |
| Emerging Scholar | Shannon Claxton | Morningside College | Angela Sorgente | Catholic University |
| Friendships | Meliksah Demir | Northern Arizona University | Ayça Özen | TOBB Ekonomi ve Teknoloji Universitesi, Ankara, Turkey |
Topic Network News
December 2017
Substance Use
The Substance Use network collaborated with the Prevention Network to
present a a pre-conference Prevention Intervention Workshop at SSEA and to
present a roundtable at SPR's annual meeting. Members of the topic network
presented a symposium at the 2017 meeting of the SSEA, and we got together in a
informal gathering at the meeting. The big news is that we have a new chair,
Laura Holt, who is an associate professor at Trinity College.
February 2017
Romantic Relationships
Together with the Sexuality TN, the Romantic Relationship TN is co-organizing a
preconference workshop at SSEA 2017. The proposed pre-conference aims to focus
on recent research on young adult romantic and sexual relationships/experiences
with a special emphasis on young adults in vulnerable contexts. The
pre-conference will bring together and further develop (networks of) scholars
with an interest in advancing the science of young adult sexuality and romantic
relationships. In addition, TN Romantic Relationship is supporting the
organization of a symposium on the risky aspects of youth romantic relationships
for the European Conference of Developmental Psychology (ECDP) 2017. Finally, we
continue to update our TN romantic Relationship Blog by selecting two recent
articles to share with our TN members on a monthly basis.
Religion and Spirituality
The R&S Topic Network has made several posts to
our blog, including
reminding members to post their work and other seminal pieces to our shared
google drive. We are also beginning to plan for our first preconference, to be
held at SSEA 2017. Ofra Mayseless (University of Haifa) and Patricia Snell
Herzog (University of Arkansas) will be chairing this preconference, and more
information will be forthcoming. For more information,
contact Ofra.
In preparation for the main conference, we as co-chairs are reaching out to
encourage you to submit to the conference, and to help organize either
discussions or paper symposia related to religion and spirituality. It is our
hope that we can connect scholars across the topic network who wouldn’t
otherwise find each other. This should also help ensure that our topic network,
and the very important work that our group is doing, is well represented at the
conference. The deadline for submissions is 1 March 2017, but to get organized
with a symposium or a discussion – takes time. Please use the email listserv
through the topic network to reply all if you are submitting and looking for
others to join a possible symposium or discussion, or directly
email to Ofra.
Prevention and Intervention
Topic Network Chair Michael Cleveland and SSEA member Abby Goldstein are pleased
to announce a special issue of Prevention Science devoted to emerging adulthood
is now underway! Interested authors who would like to submit a manuscript to be
considered for the special issue are asked to submit a letter of intent to
Michael Cleveland and
Abby Goldstein by March 10,
2017. More details can be found at
Prevention Science journal website and the SSEA homepage.
Plan now to attend the P/I pre-conference workshop at the upcoming
2017 SSEA conference.
The P/I pre-conference will be held on Tuesday November 2, 2017 from 12:00 to
5:00 and will focus on multiple targets of prevention and intervention during
emerging adulthood. Planned speakers include Steven Sussman (University of
Southern California), Abby Goldstein (University of Toronto), Claudia Vicencio
(Barry University), and Judy Andrews (Oregon Research Institute). More details
about the pre-conference can be found on the SSEA website.
Media Uses
The Media Topic Network will have a preconference at SSEA 2017. It will be a
half-day event in the afternoon of November 2nd. The keynote speaker will be L.
Monique Ward, a leading expert on media socialization from the University of
Michigan. There will be opportunities to network throughout the preconference.
Stay tuned for more details to come soon.
Currently, Media Topic Network members receive a quarterly e-newsletter
containing information on relevant grant opportunities, class activities, and
highlights from current research papers.
Identity Issues
The Identity Topic Network has been hard at work planning a pre-conference
workshop for SSEA 2017. The theme of this workshop will be Intersectionality of
Identity Domains and Content. We have invited a variety of scholars that are
currently contributing research and scholarship on the intersection of different
identity domains and content, including gender, race and ethnicity, social
class, immigration status, religion and spirituality, and sexuality. In addition
to talks from these leading scholars, we will also have active group discussions
and activities planned throughout the day to get all participants involved in
this hands-on workshop. Participants will be encouraged to apply concepts of
intersectionality to their own research, collaborate with others in small groups
to discuss these issues, and the guest speakers will be on hand to facilitate
these discussions and answer questions. We look forward to discussing these
important and timely issues in this dialogical workshop!
July 2016
Emerging Scholar Newsletter (Summer 2016)
Emerging Scholars on the move; Regional updates; Spotlight;
Announcements; and more. Please see
here for the full newsletter.
Identity Topic Network
The Identity Topic Network has a new Chair (Joe
Schwab, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bridgewater State University,
jschwab@bridgew.edu) and a listserv has
been created to encourage connection and collaboration among members of the
topic network. If other SSEA members would like to join the listserv to post
announcements, share resources and materials, or gauge interest for possible
collaborations, they can be added to the listserv through this Google Group:
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/ssea-identity-topic-network
Prevention and Intervention Topic Network
We are pleased to report that members of SSEA led a roundtable
discussion at the June 2016 meeting of the Society of Prevention Research (SPR)
held in San Francisco. The panel titled “Opportunities and Challenges for
Prevention and Intervention in Emerging Adulthood” was led by Abby Goldstein
(University of Toronto) and included emerging adult scholars Marie-Hélène
Vérronneau (Université du Québec à Montréal) and Christine Lee (University of
Washington). The discussion was very well received and continues our exciting
collaboration with SPR.
Reflecting the interest in prevention issues for emerging adults, Abby Goldstein
and P&I TN chair Michael Cleveland (now at Washington State University) will be
co-editing a special issue of Prevention Science devoted to the topic in the
upcoming year. We are excited about the opportunity and especially encourage
SSEA members to contribute to this special issue. Watch for the call for papers
later this fall.
Finally, plans are under way to hold a pre-conference session on Prevention and
Intervention at the next SSEA conference to be held in October 2017 in
Washington, D.C. Details will soon follow.
Michael Cleveland, P&I Topic Network Chair
Parents and Family Topic Network
The Parents and Family Topic Network is a community of
scholars interested in the role of family in emerging adults’ development. Our
members have a variety of professional backgrounds, from academia to clinical
practice. We welcome new members who are interested in being a part of our
group. Please email Topic Network Chair Jamie Abaied at
jabaied@uvm.edu if you are interested in
joining us.
The Parents and Family Topic Network also has an active blog
(found at
http://www.ssea.org/membership/parents.htm) in which we showcase research
being conducted by our own members, comment on noteworthy findings in the field
at large, and we draw our readers’ attention to news stories with relevance to
parents and family in emerging adulthood. We are actively seeking SSEA members
to contribute to our blog, and those interested should contact Jamie Abaied at
jabaied@uvm.edu. Our Topic Network will
also be hosting its own pre-conference at the 2017 SSEA Conference in
Washington, D.C., and we hope to see you there!
Europe Group Topic Network
The International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development
(ISSBD) conference is in Vilnius, Lithuania on 10-14 July. It is being organised
and chaired by group member Prof Rita Žukauskienė. Prof Jeff Arnett is convening
an invited symposium at the event entitled “Emerging Adulthood in Europe: Themes
and Variations”. Presenters at the symposium are Saskia Kunnen, Yvonne ten Hoeve,
Mandy van der Gaag, Almudena Moreno Mínguez, Oliver C. Robinson and Petr Macek.
Dr Giovanni Aresi is involved in the “Lifestyle in Mobility” project. This is an
international collaborative research project that aims to investigate how study
abroad students participating in the Erasmus mobility program change their
lifestyle and health behaviours during their period abroad and once returned to
their home countries.
Routledge have recently published the edited volume “Emerging Adulthood in a
European Context” edited by Prof Rita Žukauskienė. For more information, or to
purchase,
click this link.
Prof Katariina Salmela-Aro has recently co-authored a paper taking data
from six European data on smoking and well-being in 14-17 year olds. "Academic
well-being and smoking among 14- to 17-year-old school children in six European
cities", published in the Journal of Adolescence.
The European Association for Research on Adolescence (EARA) 2016
conference is in Cadiz, Spain on 16-19 September (http://www.eara2016.com).
The Health Promotion Topic Network
The Health Promotion Topic Network had an eventful
spring quarter. Health promotions were carried out at several sororities with
plans for more being proposed for the fall. In addition, instructional teams
visited several classes and gave workshops on optimal nutrition, healthy
relationships and innovative exercise strategies. Connections are being sought
to make these services available on other campuses as well. Video samples of
some of the workouts that were taught are included in this report.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/103445392/Boot%20Camp%20V1.MOV
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/103445392/Boot Camp V 2.MOV
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/103445392/Boot Camp V 3.MOV
March 2016
The registration form for a new membership now includes the option of joining a Topic Network Member Group. More information on Topic Networks can be found above. Members can also log into their profiles here to add or delete themselves from other Topic Networks. Please note that you must be a member of SSEA to join a Topic Network.
February 2016
Identity Topic Network
The Identity Topic Network was happy to see all of the
enthusiasm for the study of identity at the last SSEA conference. It was clear
that the identity pre-conference was well-received and that there was a desire
for another one. There was also an interest in some form of communication within
the group and we decided to begin with a listserv, which the chair currently
manages. We hope that the list serve is used for a variety of reasons, including
course material, discussing recent publications or controversies in the field,
asking questions about methodological or theoretical perspectives, and
announcements of recent publications. We especially encourage those new to the
study of identity development to reach out to establish connections. If you are
not yet a member of the Identity Topic Network and wish to take part in such
discussions and other upcoming activities, we encourage you to join the network.
Sexuality Topic Network and Romantic Relationships Topic Network
The Sexuality Topic Network co-hosted a pre-conference event
with the Romantic Relationships Topic Network. Shmuel Shulman was the lead
speaker and presented both a conceptual model and recent longitudinal data about
the development of romance and sexuality in emerging adulthood. Four emerging
scholars, Daphne Van de Bongardt, Shannon Claxton, Jerika Norona, and Adriana
Manago, presented innovative methods for studying romance and sexuality. We
found it to be an invigorating conference that sparked ideas for new directions
in research. In addition, the topic network helped to organize two peer-reviewed
symposia that were presented at the conference, one on sexual messages from
peers, partners, and media (Chair: Emily Waterman; Additional speakers: Chelom
Leavitt, Elizabeth Morgan, and Rocio Rivadeneyra), and one on casual sex and
infidelity (Chair: Jerika Norona; Additional speakers: Shannon Claxton, Rose
Wesche).
College Student Development Topic Network
The College Student Development Topic Network had its first
luncheon discussion at this year's SSEA conference, which attracted nine
participants from diverse institutions across the United States and Canada. Both
faculty and advisory staff members were present. Participants engaged in a
lively discussion of the diverse needs of emerging adults across different
institutional types. In response to the recommendations of participants, a
listserv has since been established for members of the topic network. The
listserv will provide opportunities for sharing of information and continuation
of dialogue on the educational needs of emerging adults.
Media Studies Topic Network
The 2015 SSEA Conference in Miami was a great event for media studies
researchers! Media-related topics were the focus of four symposiums and two
discussions sessions. In addition, Michaela Meyer, Natalia Waechter, Maria
Wängqvist, and Robert Thomson spoke about their latest research in an
interactive panel discussion on globalization, media, and identity in emerging
adulthood. At the topic network lunch, media researchers discussed possible
activities on the horizon, including the creation of an online resource for
media studies researchers, a compilation of research articles relevant to media
and development, media use measures, and discussions on methodological and
theoretical developments in the field. If anyone is interested in helping to
create this resource, please email:
adriana.manago@wwu.edu.
Health and Promotion Topic Network
The Health Promotion Topic Network had a very intriguing and
rewarding time at the conference. We met several new people who are interested
in health promotion during emerging adulthood hope to reconnect with them. Topic
network members at Middle Tennessee State University are planning a spring break
challenge for sororities. Their personal conditioning and health and wellness
classes continue to encourage students to lead more proactive lifestyles. The
courses offered teach students to demonstrate behaviors that enhance six
dimensions of health and wellness: physical, psychological, spiritual/purposeful
living, environmental, intellectual, and social. Part of the follow up and
social support element of the classes is called the “Wall of Fame”. Class alums
are honored on social media for their post-class commitments to wellness and
their general life accomplishments. Also, both the Health Promotion chair (Joe
Malone) and co-chair (Amber Dorsey) provide fitness services to various ethnic
populations with a strong presence of emerging adults across the Middle
Tennessee Area. If anyone would like further information on these and/or other
practices, please contact
Joe.Malone@mtsu.edu or
Amber.Dorsey@mtsu.edu. We look forward to possibly hosting some fitness and
wellness activities with our fellow SSEA members at the next conference.
Substance Use Network
Several things are happening within the SSEA Substance Use Network
that emerged from discussions at the conference. First, we created a Facebook
page. Network members can use this page to share news with the network, discuss
upcoming symposiums, finding authors or co-authors for chapters, etc. Joining is
easy. Go to your Facebook search bar and search for SSEA Substance Use Network.
You will see an icon to join the group. You will need to be approved by group
administrators. Thanks to Lauren Glenn for creating it. Second, Abby Goldstein
is considering editing or co-editing a special edition of the SSEA journal. If
you have a paper that needs a home, please look for the announcement which is
coming soon. Third, Michael Cleveland submitted a symposium to the Society for
Prevention Research (SPR) on emerging adulthood that may be accepted at that
organization’s upcoming meeting at the end of May. If you are attending SPR, be
sure to attend the symposium.
Emerging Scholars’ Network
During the SSEA conference, we had several activities connected to the
Emerging Scholars’ Network. For example, Dalal Katsiaficas, Monique
Landberg and Maria Wängqvist interrogated Jeff Arnett in the Hot Seat. We had a
breakfast meeting with the board of regional co-chairs and we had a
well-attended “after work” cocktail reception at the end of the conference.
Since the conference, we have sent out our first newsletter with a call for a
special issue in the journal Emerging Adulthood, with guest editors Radosveta
Dimitrova and Monique Landberg. We also have a
Facebook group to
promote interaction and discussion between the conferences. The aim of the ES
Network is to bring together resources for career advice, to create networking
opportunities and to establish collaborations to strengthen international
research on emerging adulthood. All emerging scholars (students or within four
years from PhD) are welcomed to join the network.
Prevention and Intervention Topic Network
Attendance at the 2015 SSEA conference was spectacular and members of the
Prevention and Intervention Topic Network enjoyed our shared
luncheon with the Substance Use Topic Network. Building on that, the symposium
on preventing the onset of substance use during emerging adulthood was
well-attended and included a great discussion. Presentations were led by Laura
Holt, Marshall Cheney, and Michael Cleveland. The discussion was led by
Substance Use Topic Network chair, Judy Andrews. There was great attendance at
the Presidential Symposium at the 2015 SSEA conference which featured leading
scientists from the Society for Prevention Research (SPR) and highlighted
prevention approaches to affect emerging adult outcomes. Based on this response,
the P&I Topic Network chair has organized a similar panel of emerging adulthood
scholars to lead a roundtable discussion of “Opportunities and Challenges for
Prevention and Intervention in Emerging Adulthood” at the upcoming 2016 SPR
meeting. A decision regarding the acceptance of the proposed symposium should
soon be forthcoming.
Religion and Spirituality Topic Network
The Religion and Spirituality Topic Network hosted a
well-attended luncheon at the Conference on Emerging Adulthood in Miami, FL.
Since that time, we have been organizing Google documents which our members will
soon be able to populate with their research projects, recommended measures on
religiousness and spirituality, appropriate journal outlets and grant
opportunities, etc. Please reach out to Carolyn Barry at
cbarry@loyola.edu about this topic
network.
Work and Career Topic Network
The Work and Career TN is a diverse international group of
academics, professionals, and practitioners who are interested in emerging adult
work and educational experiences and in the multiple transitions related to
these important choices. Network Chair is Anne Marshall from the University of
Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Co-Chair is Tammy Halstead of Franklin and
Marshall College in Pennsylvania, USA. A number of our members attended and
presented at the recent conference in Miami. One item discussed informally and
at our Topic Network lunch was a proposed edited book on “Emerging Adult School
to Work Transitions”. A prospectus will be going forward to Oxford Press in the
spring. Anyone interested in contributing a chapter should send a proposed title
and abstract to Anne Marshall at
amarshal@uvic.ca by February 29.
October 2015
The Identity Topic Network will be holding a pre-conference
event on Wednesday, October 14 from 12 – 5. The agenda is to share lunch
together, and have a discussion about the 1) various perspectives on identity
development, 2) methodological issues and 3) what participants would like from
the topic network. Confirmed speakers are: Maria Wängqvist, Moin Syed,
Elisabetta Crocetti, Theo Klimstra, Jennifer Lilgendahl, and Joe Schwab.
The Sexuality and Romantic Relationships Topic Networks have
worked to prepare an exciting
program for the pre-conference in Miami. We look forward to seeing
many of you there.
Please join the Parents and Family Topic Network for lunch
during the Emerging Adulthood Topic Network Lunches, we are hoping to see many
of you there and gather ideas for how we can move this area of the field
forward. Also, don’t forget to
check out
the blog and let us know if you are willing to contribute a new blog post.
Please consider joining the new Religion and Spirituality Topic Network
to share cutting edge research, promote collaborations, coordinate symposia at
future conference, and much more. We will have a table at the topic network
luncheon at the SSEA Conference on Thursday, October 15th, 1pm. Bring your ideas
for ways to grow this new topic network.
For those of you attending the upcoming SSEA conference in Miami, please make
sure to connect with the Aging Out of Care Topic Network. We
will be hosting a Topic Network lunch on Thursday, October 15th from 1-2pm, and
there will be a discussion panel about the role of social support for youth
aging out of care on Friday afternoon, October 16th. Hope to see many of you
there!
The Work and Career Topic Network is looking forward to lively
TN sessions and gatherings at the Miami Conference: An informal meet-and-greet
is planned for Wednesday evening October 14 — 7 pm at the 180 Poolside Bar in
the Marriot after the poster session. Our Topic Network lunch is Thursday
October 15 at 1 pm. A list of work and career theme presentations was posted on
our blog last month by Co-Chair Tammy Halstead — see
http://www.ssea.org/membership/work.htm
There are three chapters related to work in Jeffrey Arnett's new Oxford Handbook
on Emerging Adulthood – check it out
here.
The Media Studies Topic Network will be well represented at the
2015 SSEA Conference! Topics such as media sexualization and the use of social
media in identity development will be covered in over four symposiums and two
discussions sessions. Media researchers are also gathering for a topic network
lunch to discuss possible activities for the Media Studies Topic Network in the
coming year.
The Student Affairs and College Student Development Topic Network
makes its debut this fall. It is chaired by Joe Murray, of Bucknell University,
and co-chaired by Jarrett Warshaw, of the University of Georgia. This topic
network focuses specifically on the ways in which today’s traditional aged
college students and young alumni differ from those of previous generations.
Members of the network share an interest in learning and development in higher
education. The purpose of the network is to explore how colleges and
universities have been affected by today’s longer pathway to adulthood and how
they can become more effective in addressing the needs of their emerging adult
constituents.
The Health Promotion Topic Network was recently created. If you
would like more information please email the Topic Network Chair, Joe Malone at
Joe.Malone@mtsu.edu or contact either
Joe or Amber Dorsey at the SSEA conference.
July 2015
To join any of the Topic Networks, please send an email message to coordinator@ssea.org and list which ones you would like to join. You must be a SSEA member to join a Topic Network.
SSEA Emerging Scholars Network
The aim of the ES Network is to bring together resources for
career advice, to create networking opportunities and to establish
collaborations to strengthen international research on emerging adulthood. The
ambition is to create spaces for interaction both at and in between the SSEA
conferences. Chair: Maria Wangqvist (University of Gothenburg, Sweden); Regional
co-chairs: Narjes Lari (Tehran University, Asia); Europe: Radosveta Dimitrova;
South America: Luciana Thome (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto
Alegre-RS, Brazil); Africa: Byron Adams (Tilburg University, Netherlands); Asia:
Tarjes Narin (Teheran University, Iran); North America: Dalal Katsiaficas
(University of Chicago, Illinois, USA); Australia/New Zealand: Megan Weier
(University of Queensland, Australia)
The Sexuality Topic Network, in collaboration with the
Romantic Relationships Topic Network, invites you to attend our
2015 SSEA pre-conference: "Sex and Romance: Does the Relationship Matter?" We
are excited to have secured Manfred van Dulmen as the lead speaker and a panel
of emerging scholars who will speak about cutting-edge research methods in
sexuality and romantic relationship research. Please see the
attached
program for additional details on the pre-conference, and be sure to
register if you plan to join us.
The Work and Career Topic Network welcomes our new co-chair
Dr. Tammy Halstead, Director of
Alumni Advising and Development at Franklin and Marshall College in
Pennsylvania. Tammy’s dissertation study is featured in this month’s newsletter.
TN members are presenting symposia, papers, and posters at the Miami conference
– details will be circulated when the program is ready. We will also have an
informal meet-and-greet time so members can get to know each other. Check out
our blog and send any ideas to Tammy or Chair
Anne Marshall.
The Identity Topic Network announces
a pre-conference workshop
to the 7th SSEA Conference, to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 from 12 –
5pm in Miami, Florida. The agenda is to have a discussion about the 1) various
perspectives on identity development, 2) methodological issues and 3) what
participants would like from the topic network. We invite the range of potential
participants – from those interested in becoming involved in the study of
identity development to senior scholars. We will have time for mingling and
discussion throughout the pre-conference, and we anticipate that this will be a
thought-provoking afternoon. Confirmed speakers are: Maria Wängqvist, Moin Syed,
Elisabetta Crocetti,Theo Klimstra, Jennifer Lilgendahl, and Joe Schwab.
The Study Abroad Topic Network has continued updating our blog
with stories and occasional info from our Topic members. There's building
enthusiasm for the upcoming conference. We are also exploring ideas to expand
our Network to include a broader reach of practitioners in the field of
experiential education -- those working with Emerging Adults in the areas of Gap
Year programming, Americorps projects, the Franklin Institute (exploring ideas
around the idea of a National Service for post-high school students), and
others. SSEA is committed to "researchers, policy makers, educators, and
practitioners with special interests in development " during Emerging Adulthood.
Our Topic Network has a vision to broaden the outreach and create important
links between researchers and those on the ground with emerging adults. We look
forward to continuing this discussion at the conference with all interested
members.
The Aging Out of Care Topic Network invites you to
register now for
SSEA 2015, the 7th Conference on Emerging Adulthood in Miami, FL. In addition to
several of the Topic Network members presenting exciting new work, Allison
Thompson (University of Pennsylvania) will be moderating a Discussion Session
about the role of social support among older youth aging out of foster care with
panelists Johanna K.P. Greeson (University of Pennsylvania), Varda R. Mann-Feder
(Concordia University), and Manfred H.M. van Dulmen (Kent State University). We
hope to see you there!
The Latin America Topic Network aims to build a more integrated
and consistent
picture of the phenomenon of emerging adulthood in Latin America. Currently
we count on 16 members from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and United States.
During the SSEA this year we have seven submissions, and we are excited
about sharing our work with you all.
April 2015
The Identity Topic Network announces a pre-conference workshop to the 7th SSEA Conference, to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 from 12 – 5pm in Miami, Florida. The agenda is to have a discussion about the 1) various perspectives on identity development, 2) methodological issues and 3) what participants would like from the topic network. We invite the range of potential participants – from those interested in becoming involved in the study of identity development to senior scholars. We will have time for mingling and discussion throughout the pre-conference, and we anticipate that this will be a thought-provoking afternoon. Confirmed speakers are: Maria Wängqvist, Moin Syed, Elisabetta Crocetti, Theo Klimstra, Jennifer Lilgendahl, and Joe Schwab.
The Latin America Topic Network started its activities in December 2014, and we have 16 members from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and United States. Our current activities are introducing ourselves and sharing papers using the blog and our e-mail list. We have seven submissions to the SSEA Conference this year. We are excited about sharing our work with other TNs during the conference.
The Aging out of Care Topic Network continues
to grow, with our latest member joining earlier this week. Please consider
inviting like-minded colleagues with whom you work, collaborate, and meet at
conferences to join our topic network!
The Parents and Family Topic Network has organized a number of
potential symposia on parenting for the upcoming SSEA conference and welcome
added members who are interesting in parenting or family! In the coming months
look for more ways to be involved in this exciting aspect of SSEA!
The Romantic Relationships and Sexuality Topic Networks
announce a pre-conference workshop to the 7th SSEA Conference, to be held on
Wednesday, October 14, 2015 from 12 – 5pm in Miami, Florida. The agenda includes
1) networking opportunities, 2) discussion of sex inside and outside of romantic
relationships, and 3) innovative methodologies to examine sex and romance. We
invite anyone interested in romantic relationships, sexuality, or both, to join
us for an engaging and informative afternoon as we inaugurate two new topic
networks. The keynote speaker is Dr. Manfred van Dulmen from Kent State
University. Other confirmed speakers included Dr. Daphne Van de Bongardt
(Utrecht University) and Shannon Claxton (Kent State University).
The Substance Use Topic Network is barely off the ground. We
are hoping to have a small gathering at the SSEA meeting in Miami so that
members can get to know each other and discuss what we’d like to accomplish.
Stay tuned for date, time and place.
The Work and Career Topic Network has 25 members from diverse
institutions, representing 7 countries. Right now, our Co-Chair position is
vacant -- please contact Anne Marshall at <amarshal@uvic.ca> if you are an
emerging scholar in this area and interested in the position.
January 2015
To join any of the Topic Networks, please send an email
message to coordinator@ssea.org and list which ones you would like to join. You
must be a SSEA member to join a Topic Network.
The Identity Issues Topic Network has been created to bring
together people who share a common interest in identity development in emerging
adulthood. We will be holding a pre-conference at the 2015 SSEA Conference.
Questions can be directed to the co-chairs, Kate McLean (Kate.McLean@wwu.edu) or
Johanna Carlsson (johanna.carlsson@psy.gu.se).
The Sexuality Topic Network has been connecting members through
the creation of a Sexuality Blog, which focuses on the experiences and
challenges associated with conducting research on sexuality during emerging
adulthood (http://ssea.wildapricot.org/Sexuality-Blog). Additionally, the TN has
been working to facilitate the creation of symposia related to sexuality for the
2015 SSEA Conference.
The Latin American Topic Network blog is working. The TN also
has a Google group to exchange documents privately. Currently, the TN is posting
information about members on the blog. Sooner, the chair and co-chair will share
two articles they wrote.
The Study Abroad Topic Network continues to develop its blog
and outreach for new members. They would like to encourage all SSEA members who
have studied outside of their home campus (recently or in the long ago past!) to
send in reflections/stories about their experiences, especially related to
identity development, relationships, or career paths. How did your sojourn
affect your sense of yourself in a global world? You are invited to send in
entries via the blog, or, if you prefer, to the Network Chair, Janice Abarbanel,
at j.e.abarbanel@gmail.com. Dr. Abarbanel will be contributing a column to the
Active Minds network (http://www.activeminds.org). See the Study Abroad Blog for
further information.
European Topic Network has information about a large Lithuanian
longitudinal project, POSIDEV (Mechanisms of promoting positive youth
development in the context of socio-economical transformations). The project,
which has just started its third year, aims to identify mechanisms of positive
youth development during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood.
Please see the project website for more information,
https://www3.mruni.eu/posidev/.
The Aging out of Care Topic Network is now up and running with
membership growing, and they invite you to join! This TN will focus specifically
on research and current issues related to youth aging out of foster care, with
an emphasis on providing a community of support for scholars and practitioners
committed to supporting older youth exiting care.
The Friendship Topic Network launched last
year and currently has 8 members. The members are in the process of exploring
options and possibilities for submitting a symposium to the upcoming conference.
The Prevention and Intervention (P&I) Topic Network is happy to
report that their blog is now up and running on the SSEA website. They welcome
all SSEA members to read and contribute to the blog and follow them as they
prepare for the 2015 Conference.
The Media Studies Topic Network co-chairs, Adriana Manago and
Sarah Coyne, will host an informal meeting at the 2015 SSEA Conference. The
purpose of the meeting is to connect emerging adulthood researchers interested
in media and development and to determine how the TN can best serve scholars in
the field. A google document has also been created to facilitate symposia
related to media and communication studies at the
2015 conference
The Parents and Family Topic Network encourages you to join!
They are currently accepting brief proposals so that they can organize related
symposia at the upcoming SSEA conference! If you have any questions, please
contact Laura Padilla Walker at
laura_walker@byu.edu
Greetings to all from Anne Marshall of the University of Victoria, Canada
amarshal@uvic.ca and Julia Dietrich of
the University of Jena, Germany
julia.dietrich@uni-jena.de, co-chairs of the Work and Career Topic
Network. We are setting up a blog to facilitate scholarly exchange
among our members, including possible collaborations for sessions at the October
conference in Miami. New members welcome!
