Rachel Benchekroun and Pippa Curtin share their reflections on the contributions and challenges of co-producing research with young people, drawing on their two projects exploring growing up in coastal towns. They argue for the importance of taking time to build trusting relationships, involving young people in all stages of the research process, identifying and addressing barriers to participation, and building in time to reflect and learn together throughout the project. They conclude by highlighting the benefits: young researchers develop new skills, knowledge and confidence; generation of rich qualitative data; development of partnerships locally and nationally; and influencing policy and practice.
Julianne Viola shares her experiences of using participant-led walking interviews. Drawing on empirical research with Imperial College students, Julianne reflects on the walking interviews, and the unique insights gained from this method related to placemaking and belonging among university students. The presentation begins with an introduction to the walking interview method, and then discusses the walking interview protocol for and findings from the Belonging, Engagement, and Community (BEC) study at Imperial College London. Julianne closes with reflections on the value of the method for research with young people, and aims for the future of the BEC study.