Young Researcher Network
Getting it right for young people!
Listening to what young people have to say is an integral part of our work. Involving young people in research is an extension of this, part of the participation agenda. Dithering and doing nothing in this area fails young people in our commitment in ensuring that they have protection, to be heard, to have choice, to be valued, to have privacy, to social inclusion, and not to be discriminated.
About the YRN
The Young Researcher Network (YRN) was launched by The NYA in summer 2007. Its mission is to encourage and support young people’s active participation in quality research that facilitates their voice and influence on policy and practice and contributes to their empowerment. Since launching it has trained and supported a wide range of national, regional and community based groups of young people (aged 11-25) to undertake research and evaluations. We work with organisations in local and central government, health and social care, education, the media, the voluntary and private sectors. Find out more about working with the YRN >>
NYA Young Researcher Network Fair - Friday 19 March 2010
This event, which will include refreshments and lunch is funded by ESRC Festival of Social Science and is FREE. Find out more >>
Why do we need the YRN?
A lot of research is done on young people but not by them. Youth led research produces research highly relevant to the lives of young people, such research findings should be used where appropriate to help shape policy and practice.
Grants programme
The 2009-2010 grants programme is supporting three young people led research projects with a three thousand pound grant, research skills training and capacity building to firstly undertake a piece of young people-led research that informs local authority thinking to better improve outcomes for children and young people and, secondly to establish the basis of a young researcher hub for the region. The YRN Programme for 2009 is now closed. Details for 2010 will follow. More information about the grants programme for 2010/11 will follow.
How can the YRN help?
The YRN empowers young people to raise their voice and influence on matters that affect their lived lives, by providing young people with research training and opportunities to carry out research projects as a tool for change.
The YRN can support organisations directly to work with and develop their own young researchers or can provide access to young researchers. Find out about Working with the YRN >>
Who is involved in the YRN?
The YRN Is currently made up of different community, regional and national partners, including the NYA.
Resources and Information
This article is a summary of the workshop presented at the Social Service Research Group 2009 Manchester annual meeting. All the information detailed has been captured from our initial experience piloting the Young Researcher Network (YRN) a project of the National Youth Agency.
Download "The value of young people doing research: where do young people’s voices count?"
See also:
A free toolkit supported by session plans has been developed to support young people undertaking youth-led research:
- YRN free online research toolkit
- Session 1: Writing your research question
- Session 2: Different data types and designing your questionnaire
- Session 3: Research interviewing skills
- Session 4: How to research sensitive topics
- Session 5: Reporting your research findings for different audiences
- YRN free guide to publicity
Whatever your context or type of work with young people contact us now to find out how we can help you involve young people more effectively. Contact Adam Williams Participation Development Officer.
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