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.

All SSEA members can join as many Topic Networks as they like. Ideas for new Topic Networks are also welcome.


You must be logged in and have an active membership plan to access topic networks.
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  • Anti-Racism and Social Justice
  • The objective of this topic network is to aid membership in taking an active role in utilizing pedagogy that reflects the changing diversity of students accessing higher education (i.e., best practices for creating inclusivity in the classroom through mindful teaching methods, course materials, and mentorship approaches).
  • CHAIR:Rolanda WardCO-CHAIR:Kelley Wick
  • Emerging Scholars
  • The Emerging Scholar Topic Network aims to bring together resources for career advice, to create networking opportunities, and to establish collaborations to strengthen international research on emerging adulthood. This site serves as a home for a number of resources available to network members. These include webinar recordings, career development tools and advice, and a place to find research collaborators or share your research skills with potential collaborators.
  • CHAIR:Selma Ndatimpililwa UugwangaCO-CHAIR:Deeya Mitra
  • Finance Topic Network
  • The Finance Topic Network (FTN) includes researchers from around the world who are interested in emerging adults’ financial situations, financial well-being, financial socialization, and transitions to financial independence.
  • CHAIR:Mette RantaCO-CHAIR:Matthew Saxey
  • Friendship
  • CHAIR:Meliksah Demir
  • Health Promotion
  • The Health Promotion Topic Network studies ways that emerging adults can better implement wellness lifestyles during this stage of development. We also look for ways that these healthy lifestyles can be promoted through education.
  • CHAIR:Joe MaloneCO-CHAIR:Lora Current
  • Identity Topic Network
  • The Identity Topic Network aims to broadly understand what it means to search and consolidate our senses of who we are, where we are going in life, and where we stand in relation to the broader social-cultural-historical milieu.
  • CHAIR:Alan MecaCO-CHAIR:Kaylin Ratner
  • Latin America
  • We recently relaunched the Latin America Topic Network! If you are working with Latin American Emerging Adults (EAs), are from a Latin American country interested in working on EA, or if you are working with Spanish or Portuguese speaking populations, you are welcome to join us. We aim to work in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
  • CHAIR:Luciana Dutra-ThoméCO-CHAIR:Itzel Eguiluz
  • Media
  • The Media Topic Network focuses on research centered around emerging adults’ engagement with media, including new forms (social media, smartphones) and old forms (television). The Network involves interdisciplinary work, spanning the psychological, sociological, and communication sciences.
  • CHAIR:Kaitlyn BurnellCO-CHAIR:Jolien Trekels
  • Mental Health
  • With a membership of almost 200 professionals, the Mental Health Topic Network convenes researchers and clinicians from many disciplines including psychology, sociology, public health, medicine, HDFS, social work, and other social and behavioral sciences. This robust membership offers an opportunity to network with persons across the academic spectrum, making a diverse and inclusive professional environment.
  • CHAIR:Maureen DrysdaleCO-CHAIR:Sarah Callaghan
  • Parents and Family
  • CHAIR:Melanie StearnsCO-CHAIR:Tram NguyenAlligrace Story
  • Prevention and Intervention
  • The Prevention and Intervention Topic Network wants to provide a community and support for scholars and practitioners interested in prevention of mental health disorders and intervention topics among emerging adults.
  • CHAIR:Filomena SabatellaCO-CHAIR:Diego Gomez-Baya
  • Psychotherapy
  • The Psychotherapy TN is a forum dedicated to aspects of the clinical practice (psychotherapy) for emerging adults (or their families). We wish to create a discussion about the theory and practice of Psychotherapy and consultation with emerging adults and their families. The TN will provide an opportunity to share information, views, and therapeutic experience among the members and develop new ideas on psychotherapy for emerging adults and their families. In addition, we, the TN, will assist in collaboration on projects, research, and dissemination that improves clinical outcomes while establishing bridges and synchrony between SSEA-rich research on EA and clinical practice.
  • CHAIR:Ohad NahumCO-CHAIR:Ryan Manwaring
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • CHAIR:Meredith HopeCO-CHAIR:Steven Argue
  • Romantic Relationships
  • The Romantic Relationships Topic Network is devoted to understanding emerging adults’ relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolutions as well as processes, outcomes, and successes. This topic network celebrates the platonic, romantic, and sexual aspects that intertwine with relationship development highlighting the bright and dark sides. We welcome participation around the diversity of relationship partnerships and invite the inclusion of relationship types and orientations, casual and committed, as well as monogamous and ethically non-monogamous. This topic network is invested in relationship education and intervention that promotes emerging adults’ individual and relational well-being (e.g., effective communication, mental health, problem solving, relationship satisfaction, violence[...]
  • CHAIR:Spencer OlmsteadCO-CHAIR:Leah LeFebvre
  • Sexuality
  • CHAIR:Sara Vasilenko
  • Student Affairs
  • The Student Affairs topic network provides a community for scholars, researchers, and practitioners of student affairs. We look forward to connecting with you to support professional interests and explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
  • CHAIR:Allison Buskirk-CohenCO-CHAIR:Russell Ravert
  • Study Abroad
  • The Study Abroad Topic Network focuses on well-being amongst emerging adults living outside of their home country. We presently have been busy discussing common research themes amongst members from USA, Australia, and Mexico. We developed our first common research experience. We would like to expand the network to other countries’ experiences and collaborations.
  • CHAIR:Itzel EguiluzCO-CHAIR:Claire Lyons
  • Substance Use and Abuse
  • Work and Career
  • The Work and Career topic network is focused on work and career development in its broad sense, encompassing emerging adults' transition to and engagement in educational and occupational roles, along with the connections between these roles and other aspects of life. This focus includes emerging adults who have entered the workforce and those who have not yet entered the workforce.
  • CHAIR:Achu Johnson AlexanderCO-CHAIR:Catherine Mkaleso Shirima