Integrating Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience in Society: Lessons Learned From a Multidisciplinary Research Project on Education and Social Safety of Youth
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 15, pp. 756640
Abstract
Integrating fundamental science in society, with the goal to translate research findings to daily practice, comes with certain challenges. Successfully integrating research projects into society requires (1) good collaboration between scientists and societal stakeholders, (2) collaboration partners with common expectations and goals, and (3) investment in clear communication. Here we describe an integrative research project conducted by a large Dutch consortium that consisted of neuroscientists, psychologists, sociologists, ethicists, teachers, health care professionals and policy makers, focusing on applying cognitive developmental neuroscience for the benefit of youth in education and social safety. We argue that to effectively integrate cognitive developmental neuroscience in society, (1) it is necessary to invest in a well-functioning, diverse and multidisciplinary team involving societal stakeholders and youth themselves from the start of the project. This aids to build a so-called productive interactive network that increases the chances to realize societal impact in the long-term. Additionally, we propose that to integrate knowledge, (2) a different than standard research approach should be taken. When focusing on integration, the ultimate goal of research is not solely to understand the world better, but also to intervene with real-life situations, such as education or (forensic) youth care. To accomplish this goal, we propose an approach in which integration is not only started after the research has been conducted, but taken into account throughout the entire project. This approach helps to create common expectations and goals between different stakeholders. Finally, we argue that (3) dedicating sufficient resources to effective communication, both within the consortium and between scientists and society, greatly benefits the integration of cognitive developmental neuroscience in society.
Authors 9
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Affiliation as printed
Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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Leiden University · Erasmus University Rotterdam
Affiliation as printed
Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
Social and Behavioral Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research · University of Twente
Affiliation as printed
Human Media Interaction, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
TNO, Soesterberg, Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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University Medical Center Utrecht
Affiliation as printed
Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Maastricht University · Ministry of Security and Justice
Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
Research and Documentation Centre, Ministry of Justice and Security, Den Haag, Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Free University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Affiliation as printed
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Affiliation as printed
TNO, Soesterberg, Netherlands
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