The network currently includes experts in the field of sociology, criminology, pediatrics and public health, developmental psychology, policy/program evaluation, and economics.  It will likely take on additional members in such fields as ethnography, labor economy, history and education.  During the 18-month planning stage, these menbers will examine the knowledge that currently exists in the field and identify the gaps that hold potential for futher research.  They will focus on four areas:

Education.  The transition from school to work is largely dependent on the level of education an individual attains.    For those who don't go to college, the problem is not lack of jobs but lack of good jobs for which they are qualified.  Community colleges are an underutilized resource that could provide an effective link to both high schools and employers.   The network will explore how this system can be made to work better for those who need it most.

Labor economics.  A serious problem for youth today is not only lack of skills but the significant decline in wages that has occured over the last two decades for those without a college degree.  The network will examine job development efforts and explore opportunities to improve the link between training programs and real-world employment.

Social history. The shape of young adulthood has changed dramatically over the centuries, and especially over the past 30 to 40 years.  Young people today are delaying marriage; they are more likely to be cohabitating; and there has been a dramatic decline in marriage after unmarried childbearing.  In order to create policies and programs that support the development of young families, we need to know what implications these patterns may have for child-bearing and childhood experiences.

Ethnography.  While surveys provide some data about youth in transition to adulthood, it's also important to have an in-depth, qualitative understanding of this period of life.  In particular, with the continuing growth in both US-born minority and immigrant populations, there is a special need to understand how ethnic minority youth negotiate the transitions of young adulthood.