Dr Benjamin Bowman

My profile

Biography

I am a political sociologist, and I specialise in youth studies. I work with young people to learn about their lives, their everyday politics and how young people take action to change the world around them. 

Right now, I’m especially working with young people to explore how young people take action on climate change. I specialize in collaborative research with young people, and I love to cooperate, co-research, and co-author with others.

My research

I am internationally recognised for interdisciplinary, participatory research with young people. I use youth participatory action research (YPAR) to work with young people, and to nurture young people’s visions and action for change.

My specific research interests include:

  • Young people and climate change
  • Young people’s activism
  • Co-research and co-authorship with young people
  • Young people’s political participation
  • Civic education and climate education
  • Votes at 16

My publications include co-authored policy work with young climate activists, research with young people on collaborative research teams, and I am honoured to have supported many young people as a mentor and supporter.

I internationally active as an advocate for young people, and I hope my work upholds and celebrates young people. I am a Former Advisor to the European Youth Forum (EU) on Votes at 16 and consultant to the British Council on young people’s climate activism. I have also served the Canada Research Coordinating Committee as expert reviewer to the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2023 International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.

PhD supervision

I supervise PhD candidates and I have a strong record for supervision, postgraduate support, career development and for mentorship for Early Career Researchers. 

I am especially interested in supervising PhD and postgraduate students in the following fields:

  • Young people’s politics
  • Young people and climate change
  • Creative research methods
  • Civic and citizenship education
  • Votes at 16

If you would like to discuss supervision in these topics or in another topic of your choice, please email me.

Research outputs