木瓜福利影视

Drs. Tara Smeenk

Researcher and Teacher
Developmental Psychology

As project manager of Becoming Adults in a Changing World鈥攑art of the strategic theme Dynamics of Youth鈥擨 strive to create an environment where everyone involved in the project, from student assistants to postdocs to professors, can contribute their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm. My focus is on organizing meaningful and effective activities that reflect the diversity and strength of our team.

I鈥檓 passionate about building connections: within our own community, across other initiatives at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视, and with society at large鈥攅specially young people. By linking our work to existing projects and engaging with youth outside the university, I aim to make our research both collaborative and socially relevant.

My interest in youth development and societal change is deeply rooted in my academic background in sustainability sciences and Jungian psychology. These perspectives help me approach complex transitions鈥攕uch as the journey into adulthood鈥攚ith both systemic awareness and psychological depth.

I always ask the question: what鈥檚 beneath it? What deeply motivates young people, and how is the individual connected to the collective鈥攁nd vice versa? I look at patterns of change and the symbolic meaning of events and stories. My main focus is building bridges, fostering depolarization, and supporting embodied healing.