To mark World Children¡¯s Day, Manchester Metropolitan University welcomed over 100 delegates to celebrate the launch of its new Institute for Children¡¯s Futures (ICF). The ICF brings together the University¡¯s existing academic expertise and will work with children and young people, policymakers, and practitioners through research, policy innovation and action to tackle the diverse challenges faced by children and young people, especially those who are disadvantaged. One key goal will to be actively support policy ambitions to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people across Greater Manchester with specific reference to the UN¡¯s Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Saul Becker, the ICF¡¯s Founding Director and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Met, said: ¡°Our strengths at Manchester Met are set in our critical mass, the breadth and depth of our expertise, our place in the city-region, and our innovative approaches to child participation in our work. The ICF is harnessing these powers to develop a centre for academics, practitioners and policy makers to work together across multiple themes, in identifying and driving improved experiences and outcomes for children and young people.¡±
Among the wide-ranging research themes showcased at the launch (November 20) were safeguarding, children growing up in a digital world, youth justice and young people, and gender-based violence. Work highlighted at the event included:
- interact with digital technologies in diverse families across the UK, uncovering insights into how they develop early talk and literacy with digital technologies at home, and how families support their learning and wellbeing with technology.
- which sheds light on the harsh realities of prison life in lockdown for young offenders whose education and wellbeing were significantly impacted by the global pandemic; and a further and supporting girls and young women at risk of exploitation and serious youth violence.
- Work on young people and gender-based violence, with a focus on abuse experienced by and/or perpetrated by young people in different contexts. These contexts include family settings (child-to-parent violence, domestic homicides) and young people¡¯s intimate relationships (minoritised students and sexual violence on campus).
- on the co-design of wearable cameras which shed light on complex teen emotions which is helping psychologists work with teens and their parents to foster better mutual understanding and communication.
- A study into children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who face an increased risk of exploitation and improving the identification of risk before harm happens.
The launch event was attended by academics from across the University whose research interests align with the ICF¡¯s work. Reflecting the ICF¡¯s strong partnership approach, key senior stakeholders also attended from organisations directly engaged in policy and practice relating to children and young people, such as local authorities, charities, health and care agencies and other public services, such as police and safeguarding boards.
Paul Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, said: ¡°Manchester has an ambition to be a UNICEF UK Child Friendly City, a place that recognises children¡¯s rights and puts children and young people at the heart of decisions that affect their lives. The Institute for Children¡¯s Futures is a wonderful opportunity for the city to lead, guide and inform evidenced-based policy and practice.¡±
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