Current funded projects

Our projects:

• Race, racism and education: A study of racial identity formation and its impact on the educational experiences of adolescents of African heritage in the North of England, with Afrikindness
• Supporting women in the perinatal period experiencing domestic abuse, with Kyra Women's Project
• Building neurodivergent-affirming cultures of regulation: A neurodivergent perspective, with Neurodiverse Connection
• Understanding (in)visible facilitators and challenges of refugees and overcoming structural barriers in York, with Refugee Action York (RAY)
• An evaluation of a hosted housing model for young people at risk of homelessness, with Safe and Sound Homes (SASH)
• More than a mission statement: Shaping St Nicks’ strategies through youth participatory research and co-creation, with St Nicks

Race, racism and education: A study of racial identity formation and its impact on the educational experiences of adolescents of African heritage in the North of England

VCSE partner: Afrikindness

York St John Researchers: Dr Margaret Wood and Dr Spence Swain

The project aims to unlock the voices of young people of African heritage in the North of England to develop understandings of the challenges they face regarding identity struggles and racial identity formation. Focus will be put on home play and educational experiences. This is a co-produced project between York St John University and Afrikindness, in partnership with Liverpool Hope University. It involves a participatory research approach to engaging young people’s perspectives.

Supporting women in the perinatal period experiencing domestic abuse

VCSE partner: Kyra Women’s Project

York St John Researchers: Dr Isobel Clare, Dr Amy Holmes and Dr Ruth Knight

The project seeks to understand the experiences of women who have faced domestic abuse during pregnancy or early parenthood. Despite the serious risks these women face, there is very little research or support designed specifically for them. The project will listen to women’s stories through interviews and creative methods, and work together to map local services and identify where change is needed.

Building neurodivergent-affirming cultures of regulation: A neurodivergent perspective

VCSE partner: Neurodiverse Connection

York St John Researcher: Dr Amy Skinner

This project focuses on experiences of regulation by neurodivergent adults, particularly in contexts with pronounced organisational power dynamics; for example, medical appointments, classrooms, or workplaces. It will also explore what neurodivergent adults consider neurodivergent-affirming cultures of regulation look and feel like, and how they might be facilitated. A neurodivergent research community of practice will use creative activities to reflect on their experiences of regulation and dysregulation. 

Understanding (in)visible facilitators and challenges of refugees and overcoming structural barriers in York

VCSE partner: Refugee Action York

York St John Researchers: Dr Ayla Gol, Dr Hana Jee and Prof. Divine Charura

The project aims to investigate how unconscious cultural differences create structural barriers that exclude Middle Eastern and Nort African refugees in York, focusing on the role of language. By making invisible barriers visible, this research highlights how refugee identities are constructed within the symbolic order, creating a gap between refugees and the host culture. Data will be collected using participatory method that build on photovoice and implement participatory object elicitation and body mapping.

An evaluation of a hosted housing model for young people at risk of homelessness

VCSE partner: Safe and Sound Homes (SASH)

York St John Researcher: Dr Branagh O'Shaughnessy

The project aims to examine young people’s experiences of long-and short-term hosted housing programmes at SASH, in respect of the process of acquiring stable housing and pursuing life goals. It will also examine the motivations, value and experiences of lodging hosts. Young people will be facilitated to co-create the young people representatives role and conduct interviews with other young people and hosts.

More than a mission statement: Shaping St Nicks’ strategies through youth participatory research and co-creation

VCSE partner: St Nicks

York St John Researchers: Dr Vicki Pugh, Lucy Sors and Carole Pugh

The project will explore and evidence the potential of young people as stakeholders of the local natural reserve. Through research skills and information the project seeks to empower young people to influence St Nicks as a wider organisation. The project will co-design research with young people and explore nature-based interventions at the local reserve.