Exploring Interdisciplinary Work in Adolescent Research
Interdisciplinarity is woven into the mission of the Society for Research on Adolescence, which seeks to “promote high-quality research that considers the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of development in context.” 

What is interdisciplinarity? 
As defined by the SRA Interdisciplinary Committee, interdisciplinary research integrates two or more disciplines in its theoretical, conceptual, methodological, and/or analytical approach, to solve questions and/or problems in ways that transcend what is possible from a single discipline. Interdisciplinary research can be conducted by an individual or a team.


The Outstanding Interdisciplinary Contribution Award

Nomination Requirements

  • A nomination letter detailing how the contribution integrates two or more disciplines in its theoretical, conceptual, methodological, and/or analytical approach, to solve questions and/or problems in ways that transcend what is possible from a single discipline. The letter should also articulate the impact of this work on our understanding of adolescence.
  • One letter of support which highlights the impact of this work on our understanding of adolescence
  • A copy of the article or product being nominated (or if nomination is based on a contribution derived from a set, up to 3 articles or products may be included)

 
2022 Winner: Patti Valkenburg
Project Adolescents Well-being & Social Media (AWeSome)


SRA’s Work on Interdisciplinarity 
Learn more about SRA's Interdisciplinary Committee.

Exemplar Articles from JRA
Ferguson, G. M., Nelson, M. R., Fiese, B. H., Meeks Gardner, B. H., Koester, B., & The JUS Media? Programme Study Team (2020). U.S. media enjoyment without strong media literacy undermines efforts to reduce adolescents’ and mothers’ reported unhealthy eating in Jamaica. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 30(4), 928-942. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12571 

Gallardo, L. O., Martín‐Albo, J., & Barrasa, A. (2018). What leads to loneliness? An integrative model of social, motivational, and emotional approaches in adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 28(4), 839-857. 

Partovi, R., Calzada, E. J., Roche, K. M., Little, T. D., & Sanchez Roman, M. J. (2022). The mediating role of home–school dissonance in linking maternal discrimination to Latin American‐origin adolescent academic performance. Journal of Research on Adolescence.

Rogers, C. R., Lee, T. H., Fry, C. M., & Telzer, E. H. (2021). Where you lead, I will follow: Exploring sibling similarity in brain and behavior during risky decision making. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 31(1), 34-51. 

Trucco, E. M., Cope, L. M., Burmeister, M., Zucker, R. A., & Heitzeg, M. M. (2018). Pathways to youth behavior: The role of genetic, neural, and behavioral markers. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 28(1), 26-39.

Webinar and Blog
Working across disciplines is critical to advance research on adolescent development, but many people do not know how to start. 

In February 2021, the SRA Interdisciplinary Committee organized a webinar on “Interdisciplinarity and the Advancement of Research on Adolescents” to discuss the benefits, challenges, and nuances of working at the intersection of multiple fields. The discussion was moderated by Rob Crosnoe (UT Austin), and included expert panelists: Mary Helen Immordino-Yang (University of Southern California), Aerika Brittian Loyd (University of California, Riverside), Darlene Kertes (University of Florida), and Andrew Fuligni (University of California, LA). A resulting blog reviewed some of the key take-aways from that conversation introduced a new award for interdisciplinary work among SRA members. 


Resources to Support Interdisciplinary Work  
Guidance for Researchers: Terms, How to Guides, Handbooks

Shared Resources
Feel free to contribute training opportunities, grants, webinars, and other relevant information using the Google doc below.