Youth-Nex

  • Research Center

What We Do

Youth-Nex is a trans-disciplinary center with a translational approach to scholarship and innovation that is central to its work. 

Our Focus

We focus on three core domains: a) Out-of-School Time; b) Educational Systems: Middle School; and c) Community Engagement: Civic and Political.  

Our Aim

We aim to expand and apply the science of Positive Youth Development to enhance the strengths of youth and to prevent developmental risk such as violence; physical and mental health issues; substance abuse and school failure 

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What's New

Check out the latest news and resources this month from Youth-Nex. Click arrows below to scroll to the left or right for more.

Group of college women and middle school girls smiling at the camera.
What You Need to Know About Mentoring Middle Schoolers

Chrissy, a senior YWLP mentor, share tips on what she’s learned about mentoring relationships, especially with middle school girls.

Man sitting next to woman, both looking over the same textbook.
Mentoring Month 2025 Round-Up

Check out all the Youth-Nex recent news stories, blog posts & research published in the last year on effective mentoring.

Teen sitting, using his phone. Thought bubbles surround his head.
Youth-Nex 9th National Conference

Learn more and download the resources from our ninth national conference on understanding the role of digital technology in positive youth development.

Seven headshots in a grid.
Job Market Candidates for 2024-25

Learn more about & connect with these Youth-Nex scholars who are on the job market this year.

Text in photo reads "participate in research studies" with two people sitting in chairs, one is holding a clipboard
Research Studies Recruiting

Learn more about the active research studies at Youth-Nex that you could participate in!

Youth-Nex Initiatives and Projects

Connect with Us

Youth-Nex Research

Portrait Resource for Parents

This resources provides tips and takeaways for caregivers using the Portrait of a Thriving Youth framework of developmental domains.

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Industry Clubs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern MI

This report is a case study of the Industry Clubs at BGCSM, a response to community poverty.

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Youth-Nex News

Related Labs

  • RMS
  • Research Lab

Remaking Middle School

Remaking Middle School is a multi-phase initiative, elevating the innovation that is present in middle schools across the country and soliciting national input on how we ensure all students thrive in, and grow from, their experience in the middle grades. 
 

  • PIT CREW
  • Research Lab

Preventive Interventions Team: Collaborative Research on Engagement and Wellbeing

We are a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research lab with a focus on prevention interventions that optimize implementation of evidence-based practices to improve behavior, classroom, and school experiences for youth and school personnel, and/or reduce risk for behavioral and mental health problems. 

  • READY
  • Research Lab

Relationships, Ecologies and Activities for Developing Youth Lab

We are interested in how settings and interactions can be optimized to best meet adolescents’ developmental needs. In particular, we are focused on the role that relationships (with peers, mentors, non-familial adults) and activities play in adolescent development.

  • CTL
  • Research Lab

Contemplative Teaching and Learning Lab

The Contemplative Teaching and Learning Lab applies the contemplative sciences to informing our understanding of life-span development and education.

Contact Us

Mailing Address

  • PO Box 400281
    405 Emmet Street South
    Charlottesville, VA 22904