Getting it Right: Portrayals of Kids, Adolescence and Puberty in Media and Entertainment

Join Harvardwood and the Center for Scholars and Storytellers for an engaging discussion on how kids, adolescence, and puberty are portrayed in media and entertainment with three renowned experts: Dr. Cara Natterson, Vanessa Kroll Bennett, and Dr. Yalda T. Uhls.

Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and New York Times bestselling author, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, a bestselling author and puberty educator, have co-authored the national bestseller This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained and co-host the popular podcast This Is So Awkward. Together, they run Less Awkward, a company dedicated to making puberty a more comfortable topic through education, conversation, and innovative products.

Joining them is Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, the founder and CEO of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA, a unique organization that bridges the gap between social science research and media creation. With a background in both the entertainment industry and psychological research, Dr. Uhls is a leading voice on the science of media and adolescent development.

In this lively panel, our guests will explore how to get it right when it comes to representing the complex journey of growing up, including the challenges of adolescence and puberty, in today's media landscape. Discover how media can impact youth development, learn from real-life insights, and hear about innovative ways to create more accurate and meaningful portrayals of young people on screen.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Cara Natterson is a pediatrician and New York Times bestselling author of ten books including The Care and Keeping of You series. Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a bestselling author and puberty educator. Together, they are two of the most trusted voices on puberty, co-authoring the national bestseller This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained and co-hosting This Is So Awkward, the podcast. Cara and Vanessa run Less Awkward, the first company aimed at making puberty more comfortable with a membership for parents, an innovative health & sex ed curriculum for schools, and game changing products.

Cara and Vanessa speak to audiences across the country, using science and humor to encourage open (albeit awkward) conversations – a relatable, reliable approach to help keep kids safe and healthy. They don’t just hand out this advice; they live it: between them they are raising six teenagers.

Dr. Yalda T. Uhls is the founder and CEO of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA, which is the only youth-centered organization to bridge the gap between social science research and media creation to help storytellers better reflect the lives of adolescents. She is an internationally recognized research scientist, educator, author, and expert on the science of media and adolescent development. Dr. Uhls’ career bridges the worlds of entertainment and psychological research. She was a movie executive at MGM and Sony who earned an MBA and Ph.D. from UCLA.

This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Scholars and Storytellers (CSS).

CSS works with leading social scientists to develop research insights and tools that are useful for content creators crafting authentic and inclusive stories for youth (ages 2-25). We work with a wide range of organizations from traditional media, tech and gaming, consumer products, and public health and education. When content is created from a research-informed perspective that is authentic and inclusive, it can deliver strong financial returns and support the mental health of the next generation so they can thrive and grow.

Former senior movie executive, Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, founded the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) in 2018 after leaving the movie industry to obtain a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. CSS is a purpose-driven research organization dedicated to unlocking the power of storytelling for the next generation by bridging the gap between social science research and media creation. CSS is affiliated with UCLA through the faculty appointment of our founder in the Psychology Department, one of the top-ranked in the nation. The Center’s research, workshops and think tanks are supported by the generosity of its funders and partners. In addition, CSS houses a consulting division to advise clients in media, technology and social impact. Our team includes several dozen Fellows, graduate students, and research assistants.

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