A group of nurses and doctors working together at a table

Our research

Explore the research we are doing to inform policy and practice to improve children’s futures.

Introduction

Children’s voices play a central role in our research. We have developed innovative methodologies for ensuring children’s participation in research and shaping policy debates. We conduct world-leading research that is aligned with UK government strategies and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our research examines the social reality through children’s lenses, identifies trends and patterns, and supports evidence-based policy and practice.

 Our research covers different themes, which include:

  • Children’s subjective wellbeing
  • Child and adolescent mental health
  • Young carers
  • Child development and learning
  • Safeguarding
  • Children in the justice system
  • Communication disabilities
  • Participatory research with children
  • Designing and developing surveys with children
  • Childhood in cross-cultural settings

Featured research projects

Each of our faculties are conducting research that relates to children and their futures and a select few are featured below.

Arts and Humanities

  • Two women walking along a street viewed from behind

    Getting out for good

    Exploring the experiences of over a hundred at-risk girls and young women.

    Find out more
  • A youth worker sat talking to a young girl.

    Adverse Childhood Experiences and Serious Youth Violence

    Informing practice and policy through a mixed method approach.

    Find out more
  • Teenagers sat on a wall in London chatting and playing with their phones

    Growing up in digital Europe

    Revolutionising our understanding of child wellbeing through Europe’s first and largest longitudinal survey.

    Go to Research

Business and Law

  • Students sat in a classroom facing their teacher. One student has their hand raised.

    Ethnic and Labour Market Transitions

    The degree awarding gap in UK higher education.

    Find out more
  • A younger worker behind a food counter in a cafe

    Young workers in Greater Manchester

    Exploring young people’s experiences of work and employment in an uncertain job market.

    Find out more

Health and Education

  • A close up image of a school girl's shoes

    Birth to three: the Odd Project

    Transforming the education of – and care for – young children.

    Read the article
  • An adult holding a young persons hand while seated.

    Thematic Analysis of Child Practice Reviews (CPRs)

    Exploring multi-agency safeguarding with children and families.

    Find out more
  • A young girl holding her parents hand. They are standing in a field and facing away from the camera.

    Rethinking the Role of Parenting in Child Mental Health

    Discovering ways to improve children's mental health.

    Find out more

Science and Engineering

  • A young girl sat in a doctors room facing a doctor and accompanied by an adult

    Prenatal and early life movement on skeletal development

    Musculoskeletal deficits in children with cystic fibrosis.

    Find out more

Contact

Contact us

Get in touch for more information about our research themes, programmes and projects.

[email protected]