Yogyakarta – The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), organized a Public Lecture as part of its Visiting Professor Program on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Teleconference Room, 4th Floor, Digital Library UNY. The lecture featured Dr. Marieke de Vries from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, who delivered a presentation entitled “Exploring Autism, Executive Functions, and Cultural Perspectives in Developmental Psychopathology.”

The event attracted 262 participants, including faculty members, undergraduate and graduate psychology students, researchers, and mental health practitioners. The strong attendance reflected the growing interest in current international research on developmental psychopathology, autism, and cross-cultural perspectives in psychology.

In her presentation, Dr. de Vries discussed recent advances in the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), executive functions, and the importance of incorporating cultural perspectives into developmental psychopathology research. She emphasized that children's developmental trajectories cannot be fully understood without considering the social and cultural contexts in which they grow and develop. Consequently, psychological research and professional practice should adopt culturally sensitive approaches to better understand developmental differences across populations.

Dr. de Vries further highlighted the essential role of executive functions in self-regulation, problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptive behavior. She explained that understanding the relationship between executive functioning and developmental outcomes provides valuable insights for designing more effective assessment methods and evidence-based interventions for individuals with developmental conditions.

The lecture concluded with an engaging discussion session, during which participants explored various topics, including opportunities for international research collaboration, the application of developmental psychology research in professional practice, and methodological challenges in conducting cross-cultural studies. The interactive exchange provided participants with valuable perspectives from an internationally recognized scholar in developmental psychopathology.

This public lecture forms part of the Faculty of Psychology UNY's ongoing commitment to strengthening international academic collaboration while enhancing the quality of education, research, and community engagement. Through the Visiting Professor Program, the Faculty continues to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster international partnerships, and promote research excellence among its academic community.

By organizing this event, the Faculty of Psychology UNY reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating a globally connected academic environment that encourages innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based psychological research to address contemporary challenges in mental health and human development.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This Public Lecture contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, by promoting knowledge dissemination on developmental psychopathology, autism, and mental health.
• SDG 4 – Quality Education, through international academic exchange and the enhancement of higher education quality.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening international collaboration between the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, and Utrecht University in education and research.