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GUTS March 2025 Newsletter
News Tools & Inspiring Insights!
Dear GUTS researchers and supporters,
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Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the GUTS newsletter! This month, we’re bringing you exciting updates, from the launch of the Yoda & Meta data explorer to the renewed GUTS Societal & Ethical Advisory Board and Strategic Youth Board. We also take a look back at the GUTS Genetics Symposium, introduce our refreshed Instagram page, and share media recommendations and upcoming events to keep you inspired.
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As always, this newsletter is made for you! We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you find most valuable in these GUTS newsletters and any topics you'd like us to cover in the future. Have a story, insight, or suggestion for the next edition(s)? Please reach out to us at guts@eur.nl.
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In this newsletter...
- Research Updates
- News
- Impact
- Media recommendations
- Calendar
We hope you enjoy this edition!
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WORK PACKAGE 1 AMSTERDAM: SES & EDUCATION
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WP1 Amsterdam team has successfully recruited 200 participants using diverse strategies, including guest lectures, student workshops, and collaborations with schools and community events. Their efforts have ensured broad representation across different educational backgrounds.
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WORK PACKAGE 1 ROTTERDAM: SES & EDUCATION
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A state-of-the-art scanner has been installed at Erasmus MC, enabling WP1 Rotterdam researchers to begin scanning 600 participants in 2025. They have recruited 100 participants, marking an important milestone. This milestone supports high-quality data collection and provides researchers with the opportunity to conduct their studies during normal working hours. This helps them maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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WORK PACKAGE 2: SOCIAL NETWORKS
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WP2 Leiden University and the University of Groningen launched an exciting study in 2024 in collaboration with student associations. This research explores how students form friendships and support each other in academic and social life. The good news? MRI data collection is started, with 24 participants scanned so far!
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WORK PACKAGE 3: GUTS GO
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Community partners, from police officers to care coordinators, have joined forces with WP3 to recruit high-risk youth across both large cities and smaller municipalities. This initiative is crucial for better understanding and supporting young people from diverse backgrounds.
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WORK PACKAGE 4: INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
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Key Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for DNA, hormone, and sMRI measurements have been finalized by WP4 and shared among GUTS researchers, ensuring high-quality data collection and laying a strong foundation for future research. These protocols will be open for access soon on the GUTS project website.
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WORK PACKAGE 5: RESPONSIBLE PREDICTIVE MODELING
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WP5 worked on the Stacked Domain Learning (SDL) framework, which has shown promising results in simulated conditions. This model integrates diverse research domains, providing deeper insights into self-regulation. An empirical test using ABCD data is currently underway.
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Kayla Green awarded a PhD cum laude!
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On October 31, Kayla earned her PhD cum laude! Her research highlights how societal challenges affect youth differently but also their resilience and engagement.
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After a short break, she’s jumping back into her new postdoc role at SYNC lab EUR and the GUTS project and launching a new questionnaire with Albeda students. Congratulations, Kayla!
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But why should only professors ask questions? Shouldn't this be different? During a special event, Kayla will defend her dissertation once again, this time in front of entrepreneurs, youth workers, and teachers. What can we learn from each other? Would you like to attend this defense? You can find the details in the calendar at the end of this newsletter.
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GUTS Data Management: Yoda & Meta data explorer
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The GUTS Data Management team has been working on Yoda4GUTS, a scalable and automated system for managing consortium data. A key outcome is the GUTS Metadata Explorer (is being refined), which simplifies data requests while ensuring privacy, local control, and automated tracking of data requests and usage.
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Harmonized (meta)data is key to this system. This collaboration ensures data consistency, transparency, and usability. To achieve this, we introduced:
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First Saliva Samples Sent for Hormone Analysis
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Good news! We have sent the first saliva samples for hormone analysis to the lab in Dresden – and have now received the first results. A great step in our pilot phase!
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Renewed GUTS Advisory Boards
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From the start, young people and societal partners have played a key role within GUTS, and we now strengthen this with two advisory boards. The Societal & Ethical Advisory Board provides critical insights on the societal impact of our research. Additionally, we introduce the Strategic Youth Board, a group of young leaders from organizations like Albeda, NJR, Door het Geluid, Lieve Mark, and MIND Us. They bring strong networks and amplify youth perspectives in our work. Together, these boards ensure GUTS remains impactful and connected to society. Soon, we will officially announce the names of all the new members of the GUTS Ethical and Youth Board.
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Anna van Duijvenvoorde appointed Professor of Developmental Psychology
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On 1 January 2025, WP 2's Anna van Duijvenvoorde was appointed Professor of Developmental Psychology. Her research focuses on adolescent learning and decision-making, and she is strongly committed to promoting adolescent well-being and mental health.
A recent interview about her research and career can be found here.
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IMPACT
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Recap: GUTS Genetics Symposium 2025
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On February 3rd, GUTS consortium members gathered in Utrecht for a deep dive into genetics. The day began with an accessible workshop, helping attendees from diverse backgrounds grasp key concepts. Keynote speakers included Prof. Steve Faraone (genetics of self-regulation), Prof. Meike Bartels (genetics of happiness), and Dr. Camille M. Williams (genetics, environment, and behavior).
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The afternoon focused on applying genetic insights to GUTS research, with discussions on polygenic risk scores and the latest advancements.
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A busy start to 2025 with school visits!
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- Be There Together event – NOVA College, Haarlem | Workshops on mental health: a workshop on self-image was held at Nova College in Haarlem. During the session, students explored the concept of self-image and its different dimensions. Through creative collages, they examined how self-image varies from person to person while also identifying common themes. For some, friendships play a central role, while others focus more on sports or academics.
- VLC, Mijdrecht | Three guest lessons on risk behavior and self-image
- College de Meer, Amsterdam-Oost | Informing young people about the GUTS study during the break
The school visits continue! Scheduled for April and May:
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- Basisschool De Nijepoort (Utrecht area) | Guest lessons on self-image
- HLZ, Amsterdam & Yuverta, Naarden | Guest lessons
- Griftland, Soest (May 15 & 16) | Workshops on self-image conducted by our GUTS interns during the first-year students' activity week.
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@gutsproject Instagram launched
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The GUTS project has launched its official Instagram account to connect with a broader audience, including adolescents and partner organizations. The account shares insights, research updates, and engaging content related to youth development by posting twice a week. Since its launch, the platform has grown steadily, now reaching over 115 followers.
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Follow the GUTS project Instagram here.
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ESM Centrum Rotterdam – Advancing Experience Sampling Research
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The Rotterdam ESM Group is a hub for researchers exploring the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), bridging disciplines and connecting science with real-world solutions. This initiative fosters collaboration between Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, and TU Delft to share knowledge and expertise in ESM research.
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The Rotterdam ESM Group organizes workshops and networking activities for and by its members. This year Rotterdam is also the host of the ESM Research Expert Meeting of the Belgian-Dutch Network on October 2 & 3, 2025.
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The research carried out by members of the ESM Expertise Group has already led to the development of tutorial for research about participant engagement, a methodological toolbox and a parenting intervention. The groups ambition is the become the leading transdisciplinary Expertise Group.
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Podcast ‘Jong & Veerkrachtig’
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In the ‘Jong & Veerkrachtig’ podcast by Erasmus SYNC Lab and Movez Lab, young people, scientists, and professionals share insights on growing up in a changing world and finding balance during adolescence.
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- Self-confidence – How self-image develops
- Performance pressure – Challenges in MBO education
- Digital resilience – Navigating the online world
- Future uncertainty – Youth perspectives on their future
- Sports & resilience – The impact of sports on well-being
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Podcast Het Uur met Jason Bhugwandass
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Every week, host Pieter van der Wielen welcomes a leading guest from a field that is particularly relevant today. How do they view life? What do they see as the key challenges of our time? And what can we learn from them?
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Jason Bhugwandass is an advocate for youth rights and mental health, known for his activism against the placement of young people in closed institutions. Through his work, he sheds light on the impact of the youth care system and fights for better support and alternatives.
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CALENDAR
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Social (Maatschappelijke) Defense Kayla Green
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Location: Albeda, Rotterdam
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Gedijen in een complexe wereld – Hoe doe je dat?
On October 31, 2024, Kayla Green earned her PhD with honors for her research on youth well-being. But why should only professors ask questions? Shouldn't this be different? During this special event, Kayla will defend her dissertation once again, this time in front of entrepreneurs, youth workers, and teachers. What can we learn from each other?
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Additionally, Life After School and young people will reflect on key questions: What do you need to grow up well? How do you ask critical questions? What do you wish you had learned in school?
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Workshops on financial risk behavior
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GUTS will be giving workshops on financial risk behavior during 'Week van het Geld' and at the opening of the new Treasure Room (Schatkamer) of De Nederlandsche Bank in Amsterdam! This event brings together schools from different levels and cities. This collaboration highlights the wide reach of GUTS themes and how they can be applied in surprising contexts. We are very excited!
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GUTS Consortium Meeting - Self-regulation
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Date: 15 mei - 16 mei 2025
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Location: May 15: Social Impact Factory aan de Gracht, May 16: Social Impact Factory Vredenburg
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The GUTS consortium will gather for a two-day meeting focused on the definition of self-regulation and its various perspectives.
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- May 15 – PhD students & postdocs will participate in a workshop, receive feedback on their projects from a guest researcher, and join a social activity. More info
- May 16 – Full consortium day with guest lectures, an interactive session to reach consensus on the definition of self-regulation, and a group lunch. More info
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We need your input!
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Do you have ideas to enhance our newsletter? Or do you want to share your story with the GUTS community? Feel free to reach out!
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GUTS is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW)
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Research programme: Gravitation file number: 024.005.011
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