The University of Strathclyde as a Place of Expertise on Children & Young People
Inspiring Children’s Futures is supporting and coordinating a new Strathclyde-Wide Initiative to maximise synergies across the University’s established track-record and vast network of expertise on children and young people, across teaching, research, knowledge exchange and citizenship activities.
This initiative is a long-term supported collaboration across the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty and the wider University of Strathclyde. Our vision is to successfully nurture and amplify the areas where the University of Strathclyde holds expertise on children and young people, to further impact positively on children and young people’s lives and experiences, and to build new and unlikely partnerships across the University which foster new solutions to long-standing issues and innovative teaching, research, knowledge exchange and citizenship activities.
Context
Children and young people in all places around the world currently face a multitude of complex challenges, garnering multidisciplinary attention, new teaching opportunities, and innovative research and knowledge exchange activities with and for children and young people in a host of Faculties, Schools, Institutes and cluster groups across the University of Strathclyde.
In Scotland, children and young people’s experiences of the care system, of their mental and physical health, and situations of poverty and educational attainment, for example, are key priorities of the Scottish Government. The anticipated incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into the national legal system is expected to drive critical changes in policy, practice, and accountability, including new workforce development needs for public authorities and new research to support the integration and monitoring of human rights.
Internationally, investing in children’s well-being is an essential prerequisite for the global achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Well-being and development are increasingly the focus of high- middle- and low-income governments alike, who are noting the societal benefits of focused investments in children, young people, and future generations. In addition, increased attention is being focused on global issues such as the impact of climate change, rapid innovations in digital technologies, the eradication of violence against children, and access to justice.
Outcomes
As we seek to further maximise our synergies, a more specific focus on our areas of expertise related to the children and young people will help us to deliver the University’s socially progressive impact ambitions. Our efforts are therefore in support of the following outcomes:
Raise awareness of the University’s work related to children and young people across the University to create new networks and coherence, and to build further successes in this area.
Profile the University’s expertise to build on external local, national and global engagement and strengthen the University’s positive impact on children and young people’s experiences (and on the families, communities and services that support them).
Support Strathclyde’s delivery of its Strategic aims most effectively, through strengthened partnerships.
May 2024 Cross-HASS Sandpit Event
Our previous January cross-HASS Faculty Sandpit event aimed to grow energy and inspiration, create new and welcoming points of connection, strengthen coherence and profile of existing activities, and support new joint research, KE and teaching ideas. As the event was disrupted by the storm and only half of the intended participants were able to make it, we would like to offer a second session with a similar agenda to encompass all ideas across the faculty.
We will explore some of the programmes and activities which have been suggested already as part of this Initiative, whilst holding space for new ideas and areas of work.
Agenda:
12:30 – 13:00 - Lunch and refreshments
13:00 – 14:30 – Workshop event
Opening remarks
Discussion and Pitching of Teaching, Research, KE and Citizenship activities contributing to this Initiative
Workshop Format:
An interactive-style workshop is planned where groups, based on interests and preferences, will discuss ideas and then deliver ‘elevator pitches’ on activities they would like to carry forward as part of this collective Initiative.
Please note that this event is for University of Strathclyde staff only. Please register with your Strathclyde email only. Failure to do so will result in ticket cancellation. For any further information or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!