Dr. Stephen Russell

Dr. Stephen Russell thinks the teenage years are the most interesting phase of life. Learning who you are and what you want to be — how thrilling, for young people and for the adults that care about them! His research explores multiple aspects of development in adolescence, but with most of the focus on sexuality, schools and family relationships for vulnerable youth.

Much of his research is guided by an interest in creating social change to support healthy adolescent development. He is most proud of the research that's been used to shape local and state policies and laws for school safety (most directly in California), and his most rewarding work is with students: he works with an amazing group of graduate and undergraduate students, and he finds supporting their development and learning from them to be the most satisfying part of his job.