Institute for Social Justice

Read our reports

Reports and evaluations conducted by the Institute for Social Justice.

Brick building in quad with ivy growing up the side

Launched in 2020, the Institute for Social Justice conducts interdisciplinary research and evaluation.

We are able to draw upon expertise from across the University and seek to work with partners to develop research that is relevant, impactful and accessible.

School Transition for Autistic Young People in Mainstream Settings (October 2022)

Front cover of School transitions for autistic young people report

This report presents findings from a longitudinal study exploring the experiences of autistic young people as they progressed from primary school through the first three years of mainstream secondary school.

The research aimed to uncover factors that promote, or act as barriers to, positive educational outcomes for autistic young people in mainstream schools.

Download the reflection report: School Transition for Autistic Young People in Mainstream Settings (PDF, 4.9 MB)

Living Lab: Learning at the Junction (August 2022)

Front cover of Institute for Social Justice report on Learning at the Junction

The Living Lab is an interdisciplinary network of York St John University staff and students, external organisations, local activists, and City of York councillors and officers, which aims to find innovative solutions to real-life problems.

For our Living Lab's inaugural year, the project focused on the air quality at the Lord Mayor's Walk junction immediately outside the campus, and how the urban environment could be improved.

Download the reflection report: Living Lab: Learning at the Junction Report (PDF, 4.9 MB)

Suitcase Stories: Independent Evaluation Report (August 2022)

Front cover of Institute for Social Justice Suitcase Stories report

Suitcase Stories is a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded public engagement project that used storytelling to explore climate adaptation with young people.

For this independent evaluation, SOS-UK worked with the project team at York St John University to devise a range of data collection methods to feed in to this evaluation.

Download report: Suitcase Stories: Evaluation Report (PDF, 0.7 MB)

Suitcase Stories: Teachers’ Resources (July 2022)

Students sitting together making a mind map

Suitcase Stories explored climate adaptation through participatory storytelling with young people. We have produced resource packs for young people aged 7 to 11 and 11 plus, that you can download below:

Resource pack for ages 7 to 11 (PDF, 2.1MB)

Resource pack for ages 11 plus (PDF, 1.5MB)

Together While Apart: The Creative Doodle Book and Inclusive Online Arts during Covid-19 (Nov 2021)

In 2020-21, York St John University worked with Mind the Gap Theatre Company to develop and deliver inclusive online community arts during Covid-19.

Download report: Together While Apart: The Creative Doodle Book (PDF, 11.8 MB)

Theatre Hullabaloo: Baby Pack Evaluation (July 2021)

Institute for Social Justice Report cover

This evaluation was commissioned by Theatre Hullabaloo to consider the impact of the Hullabaloo Baby Play Pack Programme on the experience of new parents and their babies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download report: Theatre Hullabaloo Baby Play Pack Evaluation Report (PDF, 8.7 MB)