_Youth Participation in Research - DoY Learning Network
DoY meet-up: Youth Participation in Research
On 6 May 2025 several communities within Dynamics of Youth officially launched their new learning network: Youth Participation in Research. With this learning network, DoY hopes to bring together researchers, students, professionals and youth who are passionate about involving youth in research.
About the learning network
By involving youth in the research process, we argue that researchers can include their voices and ideas for an inclusive process. Our mission is to support youth participation in (academic) research – locally connected within Utrecht University – as a way of enhancing the relevance, quality, and impact of youth research and empowering youth. We do this by generating a community of practice. In this community, we inspire each other by sharing experiences, knowledge, and materials. We learn by doing, specifically collaborating on specific projects.
Launch 6 May
The launch took place in Utrecht University’s new activity space ‘The Playground’, a perfect space to playfully explore new collaborations. The goal of the event was to inform community members about the new network, creating an opportunity for researchers to get to know each other and provide everyone with inspiration.
Through interactive sessions and reflective conversations, we discovered shared interests, potential future steps, and the importance of taking time to deepen this work together. And while our mission is very clear, the ways to get there are still open to explore together. Luckily, that is the very fun of learning together.
Each session introduced one or two active, participatory methods. We explored these methods as tools to make participating in research more fun, accessible and safe for young people. Examples of these activities are:
- Walking as Research Practice (WARP)
- Cross the line
- Speed dating
- Moodboard design
Participatory methods and youth participation
All the examples above are participatory methods or activities that can be used to encourage interaction, conversation and sharing personal experiences. Getting to know these methods, and putting them into practice, is a step in the right direction.
However, using participatory methods somewhere in your research process does not automatically ensure meaningful youth participation. That’s why we’ll try to stimulate developing our vision on the why of youth participation. Becoming aware of when research practices do not align with this vision is crucial. Together we’ll try to answer questions such as: how can we work together with youth in designing research questions? What is a good way to set up a focussed youth panel and how do you create space for input and feedback? There’s plenty of more to explore and dive into. Taking the time for this is important.
Join the learning network
Are you a researcher, student or professional, and are you interested in more information on youth participation in research? Or would you like to connect with other people who are passionate about this topic? Join our learning network to share your ideas and expertise and for updates on interesting articles and events.
About the organization of the learning network
The Youth Participation in Research – DoY Learning Network is an initiative of several communities of Dynamics of Youth. The project team – which has a facilitating role and has developed the current working vision and mission – consists of Anne Margit Reitsema (Thriving & Healthy Youth), Anne Kolk (Becoming Adults in a Changing World community), Pascale van Zantvliet (Youth Education & Life Skills community), Francesca Ranalli and Femke Everaarts (DoY general).
With special thanks to the co-creation team that organised this DoY-meet up: Colin de Vet (student), Jikke Bowles and Bob Jeurgens (student assistents), Sarah Anschütz (researcher), Pascale van Zantvliet and Anne Kolk (facilitators of the project team).
The idea for future activities is to set-up similar collaboration based upon the interests of all members of the learning network.