BARBARA BRAAMS
  • ABOUT ME
  • TEAM
  • RESEARCH PROJECTS
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • IMPACT

Welcome

I am a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, and educator dedicated to understanding adolescent decision-making and translating scientific insights into real-world impact. Through research, outreach, and innovative science communication, I strive to make knowledge accessible and applicable to society.
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​Our society is becoming increasingly complex, making it particularly challenging for young people to navigate. At 18, they are legally responsible for their decisions, yet their brains are still developing. With a growing emphasis on individual responsibility, even small missteps, such as missing a traffic fine or taking on a high-risk loan, can have lasting consequences. My work aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research on adolescent decision-making and its real-world implications.

Research projects

In my research projects, I investigate the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying risky decision-making, the influence of peer dynamics on adolescent behavior, and how laboratory findings can be translated into real-world contexts. Together, these projects generate fundamental insights into adolescent risk-taking, providing a scientific foundation for practical applications that support young people in their transition to adulthood.
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Meet the team

Science is inherently collaborative, and I am fortunate to work with a team of inspiring scientists. I strive to foster an inclusive and supportive environment where each team member can thrive, contribute their expertise, and develop their own scientific vision.
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Publications

My research is published in peer-reviewed journals, and I strive to make my work as accessible as possible. I prioritize open-access publishing and actively share experimental materials, data, and analysis scripts to promote transparency and reproducibility in science.
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Societal impact

To ensure my work reaches a broader audience, I actively participate in outreach activities, including public lectures, media interviews, as the author of the popular science book Het Riskante Brein and developer of the Hoe?Zo! Show.
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Contact

BARBARA R. BRAAMS
Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT 
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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  • ABOUT ME
  • TEAM
  • RESEARCH PROJECTS
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • IMPACT