We are looking forward to Nobel Conference 58, which is scheduled for September 28 & 29–a Wednesday and Thursday this year. We are planning for an in-person event. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online here.
This year’s conference takes up the pressing challenge of Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the mental health concerns of young people. Yet these concerns did not emerge with COVID, nor is the pandemic the only source of stress in young people’s lives; young people often experience little control over their wellbeing, and are affected by the decisions of parents, schools and society. In addition, social unrest, climate change, and political upheaval contribute to the stress they experience. In these technology-driven times, young people are perhaps particularly vulnerable to the negative side effects of social media and information overload, even as they may also be aided by the possibilities it opens up for them. And racism, sexism, ableism and other forms of systematic social inequality compound the challenges young people from marginalized communities face; these structures also limit our capacity to promote resilience in their mental health.
Nobel Conference 58 will address mental health disparities and their effects on youth, with a particular emphasis on the significance of identity, trauma and technology. More information about Nobel Conference 58 can be found on the conference website.
Here is this year’s lineup of scholars who will speak on Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People on Wednesday and Thursday, September 28 and 29, 2022:
Brendesha Tynes, Ph.D, Human Development and Psychology
USC Rossier School of Education
Brendesha Tynes’ expertise lies at the intersection of adolescents’ experience with digital media, and academic, social, and emotional outcomes throughout development. Her research investigates online racial discrimination, digital interventions for coping, and educators’ use of digital devices to effectively support African American and Latino students in particular. She is developing a model for creating environments for optimal learning and development that draws on Afrofuturism and developmental science.
Priscilla Lui, PhD, Clinical Psychology
Southern Methodist University
Priscilla Lui studies racial and ethnic disparities in physical and mental health, investigating them as a function of ecological, cultural, and lived experiences. One strand of her research studies the incidence of alcohol use in communities (such as immigrants) doing the work of adapting to a different culture. This research informs her work to develop effective interventions for minority communities to strengthen mental health and develop effective strategies for alcohol use. She is currently developing an experimental method that uses virtual reality to identify adverse health outcomes caused by racism and discrimination.
Meryl Alper, PhD, Communication
Northeastern University
Meryl Alper’s research explores the social and cultural implications of communication technologies. She considers digital media as both an opportunity and a challenge for young people with disabilities and their families; her forthcoming book focuses on young people with autism. Her research lies at the intersection of communication, science and technology, and disability studies.
Manuela Barreto, Ph.D, Social/Organizational Psychology
University of Exeter
Manuela Barreto’s research focuses on the social determinants of health and well-being. She investigates the relationships between identity development, discrimination, culture, and outcomes related to mental health. Barreto explores these variables through the lens of social relationships and loneliness across the lifespan. She was one of the lead researchers in The Loneliness Experiment, the world’s largest study of loneliness, which found that young people reported the highest incidence of loneliness.
G. Nic Rider, Ph.D, Counseling Psychology
University of Minnesota
G. Nic Rider’s scholarly work focuses on health disparities, minority stressors, and care utilization among LGBTQ individuals and documents the critical need for high-quality prevention and intervention strategies for this underserved community. Rider also serves as the coordinator of the Adult Transgender Health Services Program at the University of Minnesota and is an executive board member of the Asian American Psychological Association’s Division on LGBTQ+ issues.
Daniel Eisenberg, PhD, Economics
University of California, Los Angeles
Daniel Eisenberg’s research explores methods of investment in mental health services and uses research to create and disseminate equitable and inclusive mental health interventions and programs for youth. He serves as the director of the Healthy Minds Network for Research on Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health.
Joseph P. Gone, Ph.D. Anthropology
Harvard University
Joseph P. Gone investigates facets of mental health in Indigenous communities and explores the interplay between culture, the self, and social relations. He has collaborated with American Indian and other Indigenous communities to rethink community-based mental health services and to harness traditional culture and spirituality for advancing indigenous well-being.
When you’re online, please follow the Nobel Conference on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter where you’ll start to see regular posts about our upcoming conference, and about conference related topics in the news.