Global Perspectives on Adolescent Development
DREAMS held its second symposium on 7 January 2026, bringing together researchers, educators, policymakers, and practitioners to examine adolescent development across diverse social and educational contexts. Drawing on longitudinal research from Singapore and internationally, the symposium highlighted how adolescents’ developmental pathways are shaped by opportunities, challenges, and support across this critical stage of life.
The programme featured three speakers whose work draws on long-term studies of children and adolescents in the United States, England, and Singapore. Together, their presentations offered complementary perspectives on how adolescents navigate developmental transitions, social contexts, and changing demands as they move through secondary schooling and towards adulthood.
The symposium began with a presentation by Professor Robert Crosnoe, Rapoport Centennial Professor of Sociology, Psychology and Population Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. In his presentation, “Adolescence, Loss and Trauma, and the Transition into Adulthood” in the U.S., Prof Crosnoe described adolescence as a key developmental crossroads that links earlier life experiences with adult outcomes. Drawing on longitudinal and mixed-methods research, he discussed how experiences of adversity, loss, and social difficulties during adolescence can influence educational pathways, social adjustment, and later life trajectories. His presentation emphasised the importance of understanding when challenges occur, and how family, peer, and institutional contexts can either amplify risks or create opportunities for positive change.
The second presentation was delivered by Professor Kathy Sylva from the Department of Education at the University of Oxford, titled Adolescent Well-being in England: Insights from Student Voice. Prof Sylva focused on adolescent well-being in England, highlighting the value of listening to young people’s own accounts of their experiences in school. Drawing on longitudinal evidence, she discussed how family background and school environments shape adolescents’ well-being, and how outcomes such as engagement, enjoyment of learning, and sense of belonging are important alongside academic achievement. Her talk underscored the importance of incorporating student voice into research, policy, and practice when considering how schools can support adolescents’ holistic development.
The final presentation was given by Dr Melvin Chan, DREAMS Co-Lead and Project Principal Investigator at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. In his presentation, “Supporting Adolescent Development: Strengthening Opportunities and Navigating Risk”, Dr Chan drew on emerging findings from the DREAMS longitudinal study to examine adolescent development within the Singapore context. He discussed how individual characteristics, family circumstances, and school environments interact over time, and how longitudinal data can help identify both sources of risk and opportunities for support. His presentation highlighted the potential of longitudinal evidence to inform policies and practices aimed at supporting adolescents’ well-being and development.
The symposium concluded with a lively discussion and Q&A session involving all three speakers, together with Professor Kenneth Poon, Principal Investigator of DREAMS, and Professor Alissa Goodman from University College London. The discussion highlighted the importance of examining adolescents’ adjustment to school as a dynamic and multidimensional process, attending not only to how students are coping in their current school environments but also to how their experiences change across key educational transitions. Panelists stressed the value of longitudinal approaches in understanding developmental change, particularly the dynamic interplay between individual skills and mindsets and family and school contexts in shaping adolescents’ developmental pathways.
We thank all speakers and participants for contributing to the success of the DREAMS Symposium 2026. The event provided a valuable opportunity to share perspectives across contexts, strengthen dialogue between research and practice, and advance collective understanding of how best to support adolescents as they navigate this pivotal stage of development.