Abstract
Academia and practice have increased their investment in young peoples’ participation. One key approach has been the shift from extracting data from young people to engaging them as researchers. Drawing on 2 case studies with young Syrian refugees and Bangladeshi young people, this paper critically reflects on the tensions between participation, power, and ethics whilst engaging young people as lead researchers. There are dual objectives to young people-led research: (a) the empowerment of young people as investigators and (b) the study of issues important to young people. If not clearly established from the outset, these objectives may be in conflict. In such projects, the process and methodology work to achieve the aims of the study and young people’s participation. The achievement of both objectives of young people-led research is partially dependent on adult facilitators’ support of the research process. This article explores the role of adult professionals towards achieving the goals of rigorous research and young people’s participation. These tensions commonly surface in research with young people and should be addressed by employing sensitive approaches that recognise young people as competent social actors with the ability to engage in research whilst taking into consideration relevant adult engagement and support.
Highlights
Traditional research is primarily conducted by academics and professional researchers, and young people are considered only for respondent roles and unlikely to be involved as lead researchers or data collectors
In terms of the research questions examined in this article, the analysis identified three elements related to the engagement of adult facilitators in supporting the young researchers in their young people-led research projects
A substantial claim of the proffered definition of “young people-led research” is that the potential engagement of adults is within a facilitator role in a research process that is entirely managed by young researchers from developing the research questions to data collection to report writing
Summary
Traditional research is primarily conducted by academics and professional researchers, and young people are considered only for respondent roles and unlikely to be involved as lead researchers or data collectors. This journal is published by the University Library System, University of Pittsburgh and is cosponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Press. The Journal of Youth Development is the official peer-reviewed publication of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals and the National AfterSchool Association.
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