– All youth have strengths that deserve recognition

Laura Ferrer-Wreder

• Position: Professor
• Employer: Universitetet i Agder
• Education: Ph.D from Florida International University, Miami, Florida USA
• Subject: Developmental psychology
• Teaching: Developmental psychology, intervention and implementation science

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Psykologi profesjonsstudium

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I have a strengths-based view of child development

What do you teach in the Psychology professional program?

I teach courses related to developmental psychology, and I also supervise students working on their thesis projects. Through teaching and supervision, I focus on helping students understand development across childhood and adolescence, and how research knowledge can be applied in practice.

What do you find most exciting about the subject of psychology?

My interest in psychology really took shape during my PhD studies at an alternative high school in Miami, Florida. Interacting with young people and talking with them about identity development and life questions made me deeply interested in research and how engaging and meaningful it can be.

Psychology should support positive life directions

Later, while conducting school district–wide research in the United States, I became increasingly aware of how difficult it can be to sustain effective interventions over time, even when they are shown to work. These experiences led me to focus on how challenges and positive potentials interact across childhood and adolescence, and how we can better support the adults who care for young people.

What is the most exciting experience you have had as a psychologist or researcher?

I enjoy being present in schools and communities. One experience that made a strong impression on me was a site visit to a daycare center in the United States a few years ago. The teachers had intentionally designed every aspect of the environment to support children’s development, from food and classrooms to the playground.

Development happens in context, not isolation

At the same time, the daycare was located in a community facing significant economic hardship. The contrast between the richness of the developmental environment inside the center and the poverty outside was striking. Experiences like this raise important questions for me about positive youth development and how intervention science can be improved.

Why do you think studying psychology is important today?

Well-informed, well-trained, and compassionate psychologists are essential in today’s society. Psychologists can contribute in many roles, from supporting community mental health and collaborating with other professionals, to working directly with individuals as they move toward improved well-being.

Psychology plays a key role in helping society understand complex human challenges and in supporting both individuals and social institutions.

What challenges within mental health do you think are particularly important right now?

Global societies are currently in a period of transition. Ideally, this transition will lead to greater care for the environment and for one another. At the same time, the nature of work and how people relate to each other is likely to change significantly over the next decade.

Caring adults can change life trajectories

There is a strong need to support people in finding meaning, compassion, and equitable ways of relating to one another. Psychologists have an important role in supporting individuals and social institutions during this transition.

What trends or topics in psychology do you find most interesting right now?

I am particularly interested in a strengths-based perspective on development. All young people have strengths, and all developmental contexts—such as families, schools, and neighborhoods—also have assets that can support growth.

This perspective does not deny the existence of problems or challenges. Rather, as a developmental scientist, I am curious about life-course possibilities for adaptation and resilience. We see these processes in many longitudinal studies, and I believe it is important to communicate this balanced view when working with young people and professionals.

How do you work to engage students in your teaching?

I use multiple approaches to engage students, including discussions, examples from research and practice, and encouraging reflection. I aim to create learning environments where students feel comfortable asking questions and actively engaging with the material.

How do you see students developing during their studies?

I often see students’ motivation grow, particularly during their independent thesis work. It is rewarding to watch students take ownership of their projects and develop as both scientists and communicators of scientific knowledge.

What do you like best about teaching at UiA?

I am still new to UiA, and I look forward to gaining more experience in the teaching environment here. I am excited to engage with students and colleagues and to contribute to the academic community.

What would you highlight as strengths of the Psychology professional program at UiA?

This program has been carefully developed over a long period of time, and it is now fully realized. There is a strong institutional commitment to quality, and the process of building the program has been forward-looking and intentional.

The result is a program designed to offer high academic standards and strong professional relevance.

Who is the education suitable for?

This education is well suited for individuals who want to be challenged, who enjoy learning, and who are motivated to make a positive difference in society.

What do you want your students to be left with after studying with you?

I hope students leave with a holistic understanding of children and youth, including both their strengths and their challenges. I also want them to understand how caring adults can serve as a critical resource in guiding young people’s lives in positive directions.