Sebastian Kurten

Dr. Sebastian Kurten serves as an Assistant Professor in the Interdisciplinary Social Science department within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University. His academic career spans multiple international institutions including the University of Cambridge, KU Leuven, and the University of Michigan. At Utrecht, he contributes to several research initiatives including DoY - Becoming Adults in a Changing World, DoY - Thriving & Healthy Youth, and Youth Got Talent, while teaching courses in Academic Writing and Risk Behavior and Addiction in Adolescence.

Dr. Kurten holds a PhD and has established expertise in applying statistical methods to social work and adolescent development research. His educational background reflects a strong foundation in both quantitative methods and social sciences, enabling his interdisciplinary approach to adolescent mental health research.

His research program centers on three interconnected domains: adolescent substance use (particularly vaping and alcohol consumption), digital media's impact on adolescent mental health with attention to socioeconomic disparities, and global mental health interventions. His work demonstrates how digital media exposure interacts with material deprivation to shape adolescent well-being across different cultural contexts. Recent projects include a large-scale survey of 25,000 South African adolescents examining vaping behaviors and a randomized controlled trial in Uganda evaluating mental health interventions for adolescents affected by armed conflict in collaboration with War Child Holland.

Analysis of Dr. Kurten's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on methodological innovation in studying adolescent digital behavior and substance use. His work bridges quantitative social science, public health, and digital media studies, with increasing emphasis on global applications and cross-cultural validity of mental health measures. The research demonstrates sophisticated use of mixed methods, large-scale data collection, and advanced statistical techniques to address complex questions about adolescent development in the digital age.

Dr. Kurten has received research funding supporting his work on adolescent mental health and digital media, though specific grants aren't detailed in the available information. His collaborations extend to international organizations including UNICEF Innocenti through the Disrupting Harms Project.

As a doctoral supervisor, Dr. Kurten mentors PhD candidate Vira Dvoriak whose research focuses on Psychometric Networks for Youth Mental Health. His teaching portfolio includes courses on academic writing and risk behavior and addiction in adolescence, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of researchers in evidence-based approaches to adolescent health challenges.