Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore FBA, UCL Institute of Education, discusses brain development in adolescence. Adolescence is a period of life often characterised by behaviours that seem irrational, such as seemingly excessive risk-taking and impulsivity. However, these behaviours can be interpreted as adaptive and rational if one considers that a key developmental goal of this period of life is to mature into an independent adult in the context of a social world that is unstable and changing.

In the past 20 years, neuroscience research has shown that the human brain develops both structurally and functionally during adolescence. Areas of the social brain undergo significant reorganisation during the second decade of life, which might reflect a sensitive period for adapting to the social environment.

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This is the third in a series of webinars from the Royal Academy of Engineering, exploring STEM education and skills policy. The webinars hear from guest speakers each week on a range of topics covering schools, technical and higher education affecting science and engineering skills. Each webinar is followed by a Q&A session with the speaker.

For more information:
www.raeng.org.uk/education/webinar-series
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