Launch of Children and Society Special Issue -
Conceptualising and Researching Child and Youth Activism
by Emma Davidson and Laura H. V. Wright
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Emma Davidson is a social researcher interested in how, as academics, we can use our research to meaningfully reveal and tackle social inequalities. She typically draw on qualitative methods that help understand people and their lives from their own vantage points and have a particular interest in using collaborative and participatory methodologies. Her research interest is broadly concerned with community identity and understanding the social infrastructures that support community belonging, trust and tolerance. Areas of research include youth transitions; educational engagement; public libraries; ‘significant others’ and Adverse Childhood Experiences. (More info)
Laura Wright is a Lecturer Childhood Studies, University of Edinburgh. She is also the Director of Participatory Methodologies with the International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD). Laura’s research and practice with children, youth, and adults over the last 15 years has focused on play and arts based participatory methodologies, children’s meaningful participation, intergenerational partnerships, children’s rights, social justice, child protection, and mental health and wellbeing in Canada, South and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, East and West Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. (More info).
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We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Children & Society special issue, ‘Conceptualising and Researching Child and Youth Activism’. Co-edited by colleagues at the Children and Young People Thematic Hub at the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport (Laura Wright, Kristina Konstantoni, Marlies Kustatscher, Karina Padilla and Kay Tisdall) and CRFR co-director, Emma Davidson, the collection seeks “to provide a platform for the range of child and youth activism emerging globally and the participatory methods that contribute to these movements”.
The collection does not seek to create a single definition of child and youth activism. Instead, we have curated a diverse range of articles which explore definitions, conceptualisations, and experiences of child and youth activism across settings and contexts. These help us to build a deeper understanding of the ways in which children and young people themselves engage in activism.
The collection was launched at an event on 24th April 2024 and provided authors the opportunity to continue the conversations prompted. Crucially, we continued to reflect on the importance of conceptual clarity over the definition of ‘activism’ and the gains (or losses) such an approach might afford. Notably, this includes the role of the researcher within activist research and the extent to which our social, political and geographical context restrict the forms of activism possible, or render them un-fundable or unsustainable.
Young people involved in the research projects spoke about the systemic, institutional and political barriers they faced. This included existing adultist norms and expectations for their involvement, and concerns about ‘tokenism’. Participatory research projects provided those of all ages the opportunity to learn together in a way that priorities care and trusted relationships.
While the collection shows the huge benefits of activist research, the discussion also highlighted the need for stronger evidence of impact. This, it was noted, often focuses on the impact on the individual young people. While of importance, less robust evidence on the institutional impact of activist research exists. Qualitative longitudinal research was seen as a key tool for improving these understanding.
The discussion amongst authors acknowledged the fluidity required by activist research. In that way, it can feel like a dance, with the movement of ideas, action and progress rippling back and forth. It is clear that from the outset of a project, those involved need to have a collective understanding of why a project is happening, of who is involved and in what capacity, and what difference – together – it is seeking to make. Flexibility, a willingness to have honest conversations and time to build relationships are the foundations for making this happen.
We invite you to read the wonderful contributions to our Special Issue and continue this conversation and to watch our launch event at this link: https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/rke/our-research/children-young-people/cyp-events/archive/cs-specialissue-launch-activism