CYS Research and knowledge exchange

Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) United Kingdom Research Initiative (UKRI). Mobile Arts for Peace Large Grant

The research team is led by Dr Laura Wright (University of Edinburgh), with Professor Kay Tisdall and others.

Learn more about Mobile Arts for Peace (MAP)

For more information, contact Laura Wright.

Email Laura Wright

Funded by: British Academy Early Career Network Grant 2023 (BAS2023-54)

The research is led by Dr Sarah Ward (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Maureen McBride (University of Glasgow).

Following recent health, socio-economic and climate crises, youth activism has become critical in generating social change. However, activists from disadvantaged backgrounds experience multiple barriers to participation. This pilot project explores the barriers/enablers that support disadvantaged youth activists’ involvement in social movements for change. By exploring lived experience, we aim to build towards a larger grant application by a) shaping a collaborative research design, and b) building collaborative relationships with youth activists.

Funded by: The Economic and Social Research Council

The research team is led by Professor Jane Callaghan (University of Stirling) and involves a number of academics and other stakeholders. At the University of Edinburgh, it involves Professor John Devaney (CoI), Dr Claire Houghton (CoI), Kay Steven (Former Research Fellow), Dr Fiona Morrison (CoI), Professor Kay Tisdall (CoI) and Dr Camille Warrington (Senior Research Fellow).

CAFADA learns from promising innovations in social care, for social work, police and criminal justice, and in domestic abuse and children’s organisations in Scotland and England.

Project website

For further information, please contact us.

Email Dr Fiona Morrison

Email Professor Kay Tisdall

Email Professor Jane Callaghan

Funded by: The Froebel Trust

This project sets out to understand what happens when Froebelian-inspired pedagogies are critically and comparatively discussed, then translated by teachers in dialogues across diverse early childhood education (ECE) sites.

Three videostimulated interviews will take place with teachers across three geographically and culturally diverse countries – Scotland, United Kingdom, and New Zealand – which share links to Froebelian philosophy. Interviews will be based on previously generated footage of a day-in-the-life of two teachers across each of the three ECE sites.

Dialogic methodology will be used to examine the opportunities and tensions that exist when pedagogies are opened up for scrutiny through dialogue. We are interested in discovering the potential for these dialogues to enhance teachers’ pedagogies and the educational experiences of 2–5-year-old learners in these ECE sites.

The insights generated from this inquiry will support teachers to explore, apply and account for the influence of philosophies on pedagogies in local ECE contexts, benefiting from the ‘outsider’ perspectives of teachers and researchers from diverse cultural and philosophical contexts for learning.  A Routledge e-book and video companion will invite teachers across the globe to critically explore their own philosophically informed pedagogies for localised ECE through this dialogic route.

Research co-leads:

Dr Caroline Guard, Kingston University, London

Dr Lynn McNair, University of Edinburgh

Prof Elizabeth-Jayne White, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Researchers:

Luke Addison, University of Edinburgh

Vanessa Paki, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Dr Bridgette Redder, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Funded by: The Froebel Trust

Froebelian Futures is a partnership with Cowgate Under 5s and the University of Edinburgh.

Programme Director and Co-Director:

• Dr Lynn McNair
• Simon Bateson

Other University of Edinburgh members are:

• Luke Addison
• Catriona Gill
• Dr Kristina Konstantoni
• Dr Marlies Kustatscher
• Dr Maggie Morrison
• Professor John Ravenscroft
• Professor Kay Tisdall
• Jane Whinnet

This three-year programme aims to strengthen and deepen child and community-centred early years practice across Scotland, based on the foundational principles of Friedrich Froebel.

Visit the Froebelian Futures website 

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada

The research team is led by Tara Collins (Toronto Metropolitan University) and involves a large number of children and young people, academics, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders. At the University of Edinburgh, it involves Dr Patricio Cuevas-Parra, Professor Kay Tisdall and Dr Laura Wright as part of the management team and our partners the Children's Parliament.

ICCRP project

Children’s Parliament

Contact us

Funded by: World Vision International

The research team is led by Professor Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh) with Dr Karina Padilla Malca.

Funded by: RSE Network Grant.

The grant is led by Professor Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh), with Professor Jennifer Davidson (Strathclyde University) and Dr Fiona Morrison (University of Edinburgh).

Learn more about the Research Network

Funded by UKRI & GCRF

Partnership between:

• Childhood and Youth Studies, Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh
• The Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• The International Center for Research and Policy on Childhood at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (CIESPI/PUC-Rio) Brazil
• Bethlehem University
• University of Eswatini, Eswatini

This international research project aims to identify and develop safe, inclusive participative pedagogy that is implementable in fragile contexts and sustainable for governments, communities and families.

Project website

Email us for further information

We are a collaborative of Scottish organisations working to drive implementation of children’s human rights in Scotland, with local impact and global learning.

Visit the website of The Observatory

On 4th February 2021, the webinar ‘Implementing Children’s Rights in Scotland – Developing Systems of Child-Friendly Complaints, Remedy and Redress’ held an in-depth discussion in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) Scotland Bill.

The webinar was chaired by Bruce Adamson (Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland). Speakers included:

• Fiona Morrison (University of Stirling)
• Máire McCormack and Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh)
• Andy Sirel (JustRight Scotland)
• Ursula Kilkelly (University College Cork)
• Katie Boyle (University of Stirling)
• Rosemary Agnew (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)

The seminar was hosted by:

• Childhood and Youth Studies Research Group, University of Edinburgh
• Centre for Child Wellbeing and Protection, University of Stirling
• Observatory of Children's Human Rights Scotland​​

Watch the webinar

Evidence submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls report on violence against women and children in custody cases.

 Further Information about Custody Cases ​​​​​

 Download Dr Fiona Morrison and Prof Kay Tisdall's response to the UN's Call for Evidence 

Innovation and Creativity in the Third Sector in response to COVID-19: A Rapid Realist Evidence Synthesis (2021-2023)

Funded by: The Scottish Government

The research team was led by Dr Michael Roy (Glasgow Caledonian University) with Dr Claire Bynner (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Simon Teasdale (Queen’s University, Belfast).

The project's overarching aim was to understand the role of third sector organisations in innovating to ensure support to vulnerable and disadvantaged people during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Learn more about the project on Glasgow Caledonian University's website

Shaping Youth Futures – Young Livelihood options in creative inclusive cities (2020-2023)

Funded by: The British Academy, Global Challenges Research Fund

The research team was led by Dr Sukanya Krishnamurthy (University of Edinburgh),  with Mary Ann Powell (Consultant), Irene Rizzini (CIESPI, Brazil), Roshni Kishore Nuggehalli (Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action, India), Kanak Tiwari (National Institute of Urban Affairs), Bharath Palavalli (Fields of View, India), Professor Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh, CoI).

Using creative and accessible outputs, the research team engaged with young and adult stakeholders to transform local policies and practices, and provided lessons nationally and cross-nationally to support youth livelihood options that create inclusive cities.

• Learn more about Shaping Youth Futures on the British Academy's website

The Play-Café Project: What would Froebelian play cafés look like? (2021-2023)

Funded by: The Froebel Trust

The research team was led by Dr Kristina Konstantoni with The Network for Children’s Rights (NGO, Greece). Further team members were Dr Lynn McNair, Dr Marlies Kustatscher, and Dr Laura Wright.

Transdisciplinary Research for the Improvement of Youth Mental Public Health (TRIUMPH) Network (2018-2023)

Funded by: RCUK Cross-Council Mental Health Network Plus Call

The network was led by Professor Joanna Inchley (University of Glasgow) and involved a large number of children and young people, academics, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders. At the University of Edinburgh, it involved Professor Kay Tisdall as CoI.

TRIUMPH brough together young people, health practitioners, policy-makers and those working with voluntary organisations, with academics from across clinical, social sciences, arts and humanities, design, and computer sciences disciplines. By working together we found new ways to improve mental health and wellbeing, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups where need is greatest.

• Learn more about the TRIUMPH Network project on the University of Glasgow's website

Turning the Page: youth engagement and policy impact through arts and music with public libraries in Cali (2023)

Funded by: UKRI ODA Impact and Development Grant

The research team was led by Dr Marlies Kustatscher (University of Edinburgh), with Professor Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh), Klaje Collective and further Colombian partners.

Understanding Gender-Based Violence against diasporic LGBTQ youth. (2023)

Funded by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council & Women and Gender Equality Canada. Knowledge Synthesis Grant

The research team was led by Dr Laura Wright (University of Edinburgh) with Doris Kakuru. University of Victoria.

Children as Innovators – Harnessing the creative expertise of children to address practical and psycho-social challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic

This research explored strategies in the home and community, where children’s creative and innovative responses helped them and their friends and families adjust to changes during and after the pandemic. It considered how children’s actions in the pandemic may affect the ability of others in their community to adjust to changes.

The research team was led by Dr Suja Somanadhan (University College Dublin). Professor Kay Tisdall (The University of Edinburgh) was a reasearch team member.

Domestic Abuse Court Cases: The Views and Experiences of Child and Adult Victims and Witnesses in Domestic Abuse Court Cases (2021-2022)

Funded by: The Scottish Government

The research team was led by Dr Claire Houghton (PI, University of Edinburgh), Dr Fiona Morrison (CoI, University of Stirling/ University of Edinburgh), Dr Camille Warrington (Researcher, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Kay Tisdall (CoI, University of Edinburgh).

• Learn more about the Domestic Abuse Court Cases project on the School of Social and Political Science's website

Children’s Participation in Business (2019-2021)

• Tara Collins, Ryerson University
• Christina McMellon, University of Edinburgh
• Hyun Ju Shin, Ryerson University
• Kay Tisdall, University of Edinburgh
• Global Child Forum Corporate Guide: Children’s Participation – how to involve children in decision-making (2021)

Cuál es la verdad? (What is the Truth?) De-constructing collective memories and imagining alternative futures with young people in Chocó through music and art (2019-2021)

• Dr Marlies Kustatscher
• Edwar Alexis Calderon
• Tony Evanko
• Juan Manuel Gomez
• Professor Kay Tisdall

Improving Justice in Child Contact (IJCC) (2018-21)

• Professor Kay Tisdall

Read the project blogs

We Play Festival [The Play-Café Festival: Pop up play-cafés as radical public spaces for community engagement, learning, research and impact]

Funded by College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. University of Edinburgh , The Froebel Trust and Moray House School of Education and Sport

The research team was led by  Dr Kristina Konstantoni and Simon Bateson.

Child Activists for Ending Child Marriage: Exploring children’s experiences in Bangladesh and Ghana (2018-2020) 

Partnership between Professor Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Patricio Cuevas-Parra (World Vision International) with the support of World Vision Bangladesh (Stralla Rupa Mollick), World Vision Ghana (Gregory Dery) and fieldwork support in Ghana by Patrick Brobbey.

Event: International Day of the Girl - Exploring Child Activism to End Child Marriage | 11 Oct 2021

• International Day of the Girl - Child Activism to end Child Marriage | 11 October 2021. World Vision International, Childhood & Youth Studies University of Edinburgh and Together to END violence Solution Summit Series - You can watch and listen to the recording
• Access password: Ybds69g&

Event: International Day of the Girl: Exploring Child Activism to End Child Marriage | 11 Oct 2019

World Vision and the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Girls Not Brides and Child Rights Connect. United Nations Palace, Geneva.

Report for US AID

• Animation video of our key findings
• Discussion about the findings
• Technical report

Other publications

Tisdall, E.K.M. and Cuevas-Parra, P. (2020) ‘Challenges for Children’s Participation: Child activism for ending child marriage’, Children and Youth Services Review 108

Tisdall, E.K.M. and Cuevas-Parra, P. (2021) ‘Beyond the familiar challenges for children and young people’s participation rights: the potential of activism’, The International Journal of Human Rights 26(5): 792-810.

Cuevas-Parra, P. and Tisdall, E.K.M. (2022) ‘Investing in Activism: Learning from children’s actions to stop child marriage’, Childhood 29(4): 529-544. 

Children’s Participation in Family Actions: Probing Compliance with Children’s Human Rights (2018-2020)

• Dr Fiona Morrison (PI, University of Stirling)
• Clan Childlaw
• Professor Kay Tisdall (CoI, University of Edinburgh)
• Judith Warburton (Researcher, University of Stirling)

Publications

• Morrison, F., Tisdall E.K.M., Warburton, J, Reid, A. and Jones, F. (2020), Children's Participation In Family Actions - Probing Compliance With Children's Rights Research Report
• Morrison, F., Callaghan, J. and Tisdall, E.K.M. (2020) ‘Manipulation and Domestic Abuse in Contested Contact – Threats to Children’s Participation Rights’, Family Court Review 58(2): 403-416
• Tisdall, E.K.M., Morrison, F. and Warburton, J. (2021) ‘Challenging undue influence? Rethinking children’s participation in contested child contact’, Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 43(1): 8-22

Child-led Research (2019) 

Partnership between Professor Kay Tisdall (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Patricio Cuevas-Parra (World Vision International)

• Child-led Research: From participating in research to leading it (video)
• Child Participating: Addressing inequalities in decision-making (video)

 Research Briefing 4 page: Child-led research – from participating in research to leading it (151.01 KB PDF)

 Research Briefing: Child-led research – from participating in research to leading it (5.12 MB PDF)

Language, Place and Identity: exploring children’s linguistic and cognitive development in heritage and community languages (2018-19)

Scoping Reviews in relation to key topics for children and young people with learning difficulties (2018-19)

• Professor Kay Tisdall (PI, University of Edinburgh)
• Dr Ruth Friskney (Researcher, University of Edinburgh)
• Dr Dinah Aitken (Salvesen Mindroom Centre)

Publications

• Communication Matters - Three scoping studies about the experiences of children with learning difficulties, and their families, in Scotland (439.82 KB PDF)
• Research Briefing: Professional experiences of parental support seeking (561.26 KB PDF)
• Research Briefing: Accessing information: Experiences of parents (698.5 KB PDF)
• Research Briefing: Key factors to a positive experience of mainstream schooling (560.67 KB PDF)

The effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable people (2018-19)

Led by Ipsos MORI. Professor Kay Tisdall consultant.

Publications​

• Plain English summary: The effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable adults (319.38 KB PDF)
• Interim Synthesis Report Executive Summary: The effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable adults (388.42 KB PDF)
• Interim Synthesis Report: The effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable adults (1.92 MB PDF)