Interview with Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa—Winner of the Children Young Investigator Award

We are pleased to announce Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa as the winner of the Children 2024 Young Investigator Award. The Children Young Investigator Award was established in 2019 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of children’s health. All winners were chosen by the journal’s award committee. 

Name: Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa
Affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
Research interests: Developmental psychology; educational psychology; life cycle psychology; development in adolescence; attachment relationships; family; learning and quality of educational settings 

We were honored to interview Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa and learn about her views and experiences in relation to research and awards. 

The following is a short interview with Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa: 

1. Could you please share your current research direction and the latest progress?
My current research focuses on developmental psychology and education. I am particularly interested in how early relational experiences, emotion regulation, and individual resources shape learning and well-being throughout life. Much of my work has centered on adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, I take a lifespan approach, recognizing development as a dynamic process that continues “from the cradle to the grave,” as John Bowlby, one of the thinkers who most deeply inspires my research, said about attachment relationships. This approach enables me to examine how transitions, attachments, and identity formation evolve across various life stages. I strongly believe that addressing such complex phenomena requires collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts. For this reason, I actively engage in research networks at the national and international levels to promote connections that enrich my scientific perspective and support more robust and context-sensitive findings. 

2. Could you please share with us your feelings after winning the award?
I am deeply honored to receive the Children Young Investigator Award. This recognition means a great deal to me, both as validation of my scientific commitment and on a personal level. I entered the field of research later than is typical for a traditional academic trajectory. This experience has taught me that developmental and professional paths are flexible and shaped by opportunities, challenges, and the ability to adapt, rather than being linear or predetermined. This award has confirmed the importance of embracing our unique journey and staying open to growth, even when our path is unconventional.

3. Could you please share the most impressive breakthrough in your research career, either in terms of ideas or research results?
One of the most significant turning points in my research was adopting a systemic and integrative perspective on psychological development. Rather than focusing on isolated variables, I now seek to understand how different dimensions, such as emotional processes and relational bonds, interact over time and across contexts. This approach has enabled me to address developmental questions with greater depth and complexity and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of child and adolescent development.

4. Do you have any other suggestions on how journals and publishers can further support young researchers and the academic community?
Journals can support early career researchers by making the editorial process transparent and timely. Many young scholars depend on a steady publication record to secure academic positions, funding, and advancement opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial that manuscripts, which are often the result of extensive and rigorous work, are not left waiting for months in peer review. Excessive delays can severely hinder professional development and limit the impact of emerging research.
Alongside timeliness, peer review should aim to improve the scientific quality of the work rather than gatekeep innovation. Journals should also provide editorial training opportunities, encourage interdisciplinary contributions, and promote open access. Finally, editorial policies that support methodological rigor, replication, and inclusivity are essential for promoting a healthy and forward-looking academic community.

5. Based on your experience, which research topics in this field do you think will be of particular interest to the academic community in the next few years?
I believe there will be an increase in interest regarding how children and adolescents navigate developmental tasks in a context of global uncertainty, digital transformation, and social change. Research on resilience, identity development, mental health, and educational engagement, especially in relation to new technologies and cultural diversity, will likely become more central. At the same time, integrating lifespan developmental theory will be essential for understanding how early experiences influence trajectories well into adulthood and later life.

6. Do you have anything to say to your fellow scholars?
To my fellow scholars, I would say: stay curious, collaborative, and true to your values. We all bring unique backgrounds and perspectives to the scientific community, and there is no single “correct” timeline for making meaningful contributions to the field. In both research and life, developmental trajectories are flexible. As Bowlby suggested, let us remember that development is a lifelong journey.

7. Was there someone who had a positive major influence on your academic journey?
I would like to thank Prof. Elena Commodari, who first guided me as my PhD tutor and later as my postdoctoral supervisor. Her constant support and mentorship throughout this extraordinary yet often challenging journey have been invaluable. She taught me the importance of ethics and rigor in research. Thanks to her guidance, I was able to reach this milestone. This achievement is a clear reminder of how crucial it is to have strong mentors by your side when pursuing ambitious goals.