BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN

ENTERTAINMENT & RESEARCH

TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION THRIVE

Media has power. Content creators have an opportunity. Research can help.

THE POWER OF STORIES

Stories move hearts and minds in a way that numbers alone can’t. We all know it inherently. And a growing body of research supports it.

THE IMPACT ON YOUTH

Good intentions are important, but often not sufficient. Research can help ground us in how to create content responsibly.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

The brain is more malleable during early childhood and adolescence than at any other time of our lives. And young people today report consuming more than 9 hours of media a day. 

Featured News

  • Young People Want to Feel Safe

    In CSS’s latest research snapshot, teens reported that their number one priority was not to be rich, famous, or even good looking, but to be safe.

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  • NEW 2024 Teens and Screens

    Upon launch, we’ve already received coverage in the New York Times, LA Times and more. Check out the full report!

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  • Teens React to New 2024 Teens and Screens Report Findings

    Check out what high schoolers are saying about our newest research report

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  • CSS Hosts Next Gen Creators Summit with CAA and TikTok

    The inaugural event connected social media influencers with experts to learn how to use their platforms for good

    READ MORE

  • Borrow My Eyes

    In this oral history video series, you can hear from teens themselves as they discuss friendship, content they follow online, shifting definitions of popularity, and more

    LEARN MORE

  • New Research: Gen Z, Media, and the 2024 Election

    Young people are more diverse and digitally engaged than ever before – here's how it's influencing their politics

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  • Dr. Yalda T. Uhls Speaks at the Hollywood Climate Summit

    She was joined alongside Bill Nye and other experts in science and entertainment.

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  • CSS Wins a Bronze Anthem Award for Teens and Screens 2023

    CSS has been named a Winner for The 4th Annual Anthem Awards.

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  • CSS YMR Teens Speak at Sony

    The Workshops team and Youth Media Representation (YMR) team presented to an audience of creatives and media executives at Sony Studios

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Ways We Help

Clients We’ve Worked With

Working out of UCLA, the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) is a nonprofit helping connect the biggest names in Hollywood and creative professionals everywhere with evidence-based insights from psychology to positively impact kids, teens, and young adults.

We’re the only organization with the institutional affiliation, academic credibility, and entertainment expertise to meet youth and young adults where they are: on screens.

“Although insights that can guide responsible storytelling emerge regularly from the work of social scientists, they are often slow to make their way into the hands of the entertainment industry. That’s why, when I obtained my doctorate in psychology after almost two decades working in the movie industry, I created the Center for Scholars & Storytellers.”