Wednesday 19 March 2025
Young People’s Voices
Research has shown that involving children in research can provide valuable insights into their perspectives on the issues that affect them. On 15 and 20 February 2025, we took part in the Nottinghamshire Festival of Science and Curiosity at Nottingham Central Library and Hyson Green Library, respectively. This annual festival celebrates the science and curiosity embedded in our everyday lives, offering opportunities not only to share what we already know but also to explore what we wish to discover.
Co(l)laboratory at Hyson Green Library, February 2025
As part of the festival, we engaged young people by asking them about the role of research and about issues that matter most to them within their local communities in Nottingham. We encouraged them to take an active role in exploring these questions, aligning discussions with their interests and passions. Their thoughtful responses provided meaningful insights into concerns they believe should be addressed.
These responses were recorded on prompt sheets and displayed on a geographical map of Nottingham, creating a visual representation of their ideas.
Our commitment to supporting community-engaged research means we prioritize research that is rooted in the needs of local communities and continuously informed by those with lived experience of the challenges at hand. Through this approach, we strive to deliver research that more effectively drives meaningful, evidence-based change for Nottingham’s communities.
Read some of their suggestions below:
Notts’ Voice in Research is a Co(l)laboratory initiative that aims to understand some of the complex challenges facing our local communities and how research from our local universities should be shaped to address them.