Exploring co-production with young people in challenging the climate crisis

Williams, Sara-Jayne; Portus, Rosamund

Abstract

The CCC-CATAPULT (Challenging the Climate Crisis: Children’s Agency to TAckle Policy Underpinned by Learning for Transformation) project aims to critically examine educational, worldview and intercultural influences on young people’s (YP’s) climate and environment-focused learning and agency at a time when ‘eco-anxiety’ is starting to become a defining characteristic of the climate emergency. Located in four case study areas: UK, Finland, Ireland and Italy, the three-year research project is working YP (15-18 years old) to co-create new knowledge through the ‘eyes and ears’ of young people (YP).

In CCC-CATAPULT, we are taking a co-production research approach that involves researchers working together to co-develop a methodology and its delivery for impact. This importantly involves sharing power with YP. Youth Action Partnerships in each location involve a small group of YP meeting regularly in their own locale and being centrally involved in research decisions and co-leading research activities. The YAP process also involves exchange of knowledge and values across national settings. Co-production recognises different types of knowledge as assets to research and YP’s lived experience will be as valuable as specialist research knowledge in the CCC-CATAPULT project, enabling mutual learning. As YAP members, YP will have the opportunity to learn new research skills, data analysis and contribute in disseminating the results by presenting at events and producing creative content for sharing Integrated in the YAP process will be opportunities for the YP to develop personal and collective agency.
• Research questions
In this presentation, we are focused on the following research question:
What are the important elements for consideration in setting up a co-productive research process with young people in four European locations?
• Methodology
In this presentation, we will introduce the interdisciplinary CCC-CATAPULT project and the multi-methodological approach we are taking (including a survey, focus groups and narrative work) focusing on our approach to co-production. We will explain the process of setting up our co-productive YAPs in our four case study countries, paying close attention to the cross- cultural topics that arise.
• Findings
Here we will present a series of reflections and evaluations about the process of co-production with YP that will take into account researcher and YP’s views on their development and effectiveness. We will consider closely the cross-cultural experiences of the operational development of YAP’s across the locations and our main observations of challenges and successes.
• Conclusion & recommendations for theory and practice and possible References
In our conclusions, we will present some principles and recommendations about how to work in coproduction within and across cultural settings with YP aged 15-18 years. We will also consider the sustainability/longevity of the process from both an operational and research perspective.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC)
• Start Date: Mar 18, 2022
• End Date: Mar 18, 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 27, 2022
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9209663