Children and young people
Source: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/research/networks/children-and-young-people Parent: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/research
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About us
The members of the Children and Young People Network share a common aspiration: to contribute to research and knowledge-building that will ultimately lead to improving children's and young people’s opportunities, experiences and outcomes.
Rooted in a recognition of the immense diversity in the lives of children and young people, our research responds to an urgent need to better understand those lives from multiple perspectives, and to explore and identify ways of supporting children and young people as they negotiate the challenges, transitions and opportunities of these vital phases of their development.
Our mission is to work collaboratively to advance understanding and positively impact the lives of children & young people. Our vision is to cultivate a dynamic and thriving research community that is committed to improving the life experiences with and for children & young people.
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News
19 December 2025
OxInAHR Symposium 2025: Where Research and Practice Meet
Transforming clinical curiosity into collective impact.
25 September 2025
New Guide Helps Kids with Cancer Stay Active
The new guide 'LET's MOVE' supports young cancer patients to stay active.
06 May 2025
Fight Childhood Cancer
In the face of childhood cancer, an innovative research initiative is harnessing the power of physical activity and digital health technology to support young patients.
21 March 2025
The power of art in education: Horizon Europe funding
An academic from Oxford Brookes University has secured nearly €400,000 in European Union (EU) funding to help children and young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion gain access to arts-based education through co-creative research.
Research themes
Education and Development
This theme explores how children and young people learn in early years settings, schools, higher education and informal environments. It includes research on inclusive education, professional learning, home-school learning and pedagogy. Work in this area examines cognition, motivation, physical and social learning, creativity, motor and neurological development, language and literacy, as well as educational wellbeing, psychology, assessment and SEND.
Health, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
This theme focuses on the physical and emotional health of children and young people. It includes research on mental health, reproductive and sexual health, sensory health, sleep and school-based health. Studies address specific health conditions, interventions, safeguarding, risk, substance use and violence. Parenting, newborn care, pregnancy, feeding, sleep practices, technology use, diet, exercise, sport and exercise psychology also sit within this area.
Children’s and Young People’s Worlds
This theme examines the everyday lives, identities and environments of young people. Research considers their education, employment, citizenship, independence and activism, as well as childhood history, law, youth cultures, gender, religion, friendships and identity formation. It also explores their relationships with the environment, sustainability and their views of the future.
Our team
Professor Patrick Alexander
Network Chair
Dr Sarah-Louise Mitchell
Network Lead
Dr Shelly Coe
Network Lead
Join the network
Join the Children and Young People network to connect with others at Oxford Brookes who are dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people. If you want to collaborate, share expertise and explore new opportunities in this research community, we welcome you to become a member.