Information for researchers

There are numerous examples and different ways of involving young people in research. They can start being involved at any stage in the research, from identifying topics, prioritising and commissioning, through to planning, undertaking, evaluating and disseminating.  However, we recommend that they should be involved as early as possible in the research so they can have the greatest chance of influencing and shaping the research.

Check out the following examples of involving young people in research:

• Patient Expereince Research centre Blog: The Young People in Psych Research Group: helping scientists iMAGine better research for self-harm

• GenerationR Alliance Blog

• Dr Lindsay Dewa’s study CCopeY co-producing with young people. For example the young people carried interviews and analysed data. https://www.covidminds.org/post/lived-experience-and-coproduction-lindsay-dewa

• Abrehart et al. (2021) “A little (PPI) MAGIC can take you a long way” : involving children and young people in research from inception of a novel medical device to multi-centre clinical trial Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach. Research Involvement and Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-020-00243-0

• Dovey-Pearce et al. (2019) The burden of proof: The process of involving young people in research. Health Expectations. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12870

You can also find more ideas and examples within our Public Involvement Resource Hub.

There are a number of young person advsiory groups actively engaged in research across the country.

GenerationR Alliance is a National Network of Young People’s Advisory Group’s based across the UK. You can find contact details for each of their young people's groups on their webpage.

You can also post your opportunity on online public involvement platforms such as VOICE. 

If you would like further advice on reaching out to younger person's advisory groups feel free to contact publicinvolvement@imperial.ac.uk

Check out some of the below resources and guidance to help you plan and deliver public involvement with young people:

• The Generation R Alliance/EYPAGnet Toolkit will help you set up and run a Young Persons Advisory Group, including how to run virtual meetings with young people. 
• NIHR INVOLVE Resources for involving children and young people in research
• Voices of Young People in Care & Queen's University Belfast. A guide to peer research with young people (2017).
• The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Recipes for Engagement - children and young people in the lead (2018).

We also require researchers who are accessing the YPAN to undertake Imperial Safeguarding training or equivalent safeguarding training for young people before a workshop, activity or event is held with the YPAN.

Please also note if  17 year olds are present during your activity you will require a current DBS check or will require involvement of a public involvement lead with a DBS certificate.