Social Constructions of ‘Childhood’
‘Childhood’ in ‘Crisis’? (Edge Hill University College, England) 1993-1997
This initiative, with colleagues in the Centre for Studies in Crime and Social Justice ‘Young People, Power and Justice’ Research Group at Edge Hill University, developed collective research focusing on children and young people following the death of James Bulger
Sex and Sexuality Education
Sex and Sexuality Education (Edge Hill University College, England) 1995
This research project, with Karen Corteen, explored sex education policy and practice in ten primary schools in one local education authority based on policy analysis, questionnaires, and interviews with Headteachers, Governors, Year 6 Teachers, and Key Stage One Teachers.
Citizenship, Personal, Social and Health Education
Citizenship, Personal, Social and Health Education, 1996-2002
I co-authored two PSHE Schemes including books for 7-11 year olds and their teachers, plus an Activity Book for 11-16 year olds
Participation
‘Taking Part Toolkit’: Promoting Participation (North West Children’s Taskforce, England) 2002
Commissioned by a multi-agency Children’s Taskforce in North West England this project, with Polly Wright, included publication of a Toolkit which included: a Report (review of literature and policy, informed by young people’s views and experiences);
Teenage Pregnancy and Looked After Children
Teenage Pregnancy and Looked After Children (Teenage Pregnancy Unit, England) 2001-2003
This commission by the (then) government’s Teenage Pregnancy Unit included giving the Plenary presentation and organising a number of consultation workshops at a national seminar for Regional Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinators, Quality Protects managers, civil servants and academics (2001), followed by development of a resource plus examples of good practice concerning ‘Teenage Pregnancy and Looked After Children’. I was invited to present about the implications of this work to researchers and practitioners.
Youth Provision and Play
Analysis of Responses to the ‘Priorities for Youth’ Consultation (Youth Council for Northern Ireland) 2008-2009
Commissioned by the Youth Council for Northern Ireland, with Siobhán McAlister, this project analysed responses from children and young people, youth work volunteers, youth workers, and youth service managers to the Department of Education Priorities for Youth consultation questionnaire.
Childhood in Transition
‘Childhood in Transition: Understanding the Lives of Children and Young People in the Context of Conflict and Marginalisation’ Research Project (Save the Children NI, Princes Trust, Queen’s University Belfast) 2008-2009
This research, a collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast, Save the Children NI and the Princes Trust, was carried out in six communities heavily affected by the conflict in Northern Ireland and ranked high on indicators of economic deprivation.