We are committed to ensuring we adopt a children’s rights-based approach to all of our research which involves, impacts or links to children and young people.
The Young Person’s Advisory Group (YPAG) was set up in 2018 by the European Children’s Rights Unit. It brings together local children and young people to provide input into the design, implementation and dissemination of University of Liverpool research projects.
In 2024, the YPAG won the 'Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Society at the University of Liverpool Staff awards.
The group took part in 20 research projects over the academic year 2023-24, spoke at the Labour Party Conference and represented the YPAG at APPG's in parliament.
How does the YPAG help researchers?
An academic presenting their research to the YPAG
Many researchers work on research/projects related to children and young people across the University but without actually engaging directly with children's views about its relevance and potential impact. As a result, researchers fail to capture children's insights into the relevance of the questions they are asking, the methods they are adopting, and their plans for impact building and dissemination.
Our YPAG aims to address this shortcoming by offering researchers of all levels of experience the opportunity to collaborate with young people from the very conception of research projects.
Specifically, the YPAG can:
Specifically, the YPAG can:
- Identify key research priorities and questions from children/young people's perspective/experiences;
- Advise on the design of methodological tools;
- Advise on applications for ethical approval;
- Advise researchers on how to recruit young people to participate in research;
- Advise on how to work and conduct research with young people, as both research partners and as respondents;
- Provide feedback on approaches to analysing findings;
- Advise on how best to share the completed work with young people;
- Challenge established patterns of thinking and doing.
Members of the YPAG are currently advising on the City of Liverpool's bid to become an officially recognised UNICEF Child Friendly City. Find out more about the bid and YPAG's role in the video below.
When and where are the YPAG meetings?
YPAG meetings are held online via Zoom, unless there is an event or conference taking place, to which you will be invited to attend. Please email P.Walmsley@liverpool.ac.uk or stalford@liverpool.ac.uk if you would like to be involved.
The sessions usually last about 4an hour and start at 17:00
Members of the YPAG with their Staff Awards certificates
Do you want to discuss your work at one of our meetings?
Meetings are currently held twice monthly.
If you would like to discuss your work with our YPAG, please read the Young People's Advisory Group terms of reference, then to register your interest please email P.Walmsley@liverpool.ac.uk or stalford@liverpool.ac.uk