A group of nurses and doctors working together at a table

Our research

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

Introduction

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

Our research covers various themes, including: 

  • Safeguarding children and young people
  • Participation and children’s rights
  • Education for early years, children and young people
  • Parent-child and family relationships 
  • Power of sport for children and young people 
  • Children’s Global Public Health
  • Child health and wellbeing
  • What works for children? Evaluations of services and interventions
  • Youth justice experiences for children and young people
  • Children’s social care and social work
  • Growing up in a digital world
  • Young people and gender-based violence

Research programmes

Research programmes

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Contexts

Assessing how children’s circumstances have an impact, from environment and social justice to digital innovation and creativity.

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Experiences

Understanding the experiences children are exposed to from education and learning to development and diversity.

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Systems

Exploring how society’s systems, including the economy, law, and health and social care, impact children.

Featured research projects

Each of our faculties are conducting research that relates to children and their futures.

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.

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  • 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

Contact

Contact us

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

[email protected]