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Past event Part of series: Researching Youth – Methods Seminar Series

Talking and Listening Approaches with young people

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This first session in our Researching Youth Seminar series will explore talking and listening approaches to research with young people. We will be enjoying short presentations as a stimulus for discussion from the following:

Alistair Ross will share his own strategies of ‘deliberative discussion’. This approach engages young people in discussion around socio-political issues in a largely non-directive manner, using their own vocabulary, in response to very open questioning from the researcher. The technique does not prompt with particular terms and vocabulary, and allows a discussion that is largely responsive to their comments and observations. It does not therefore assume that participants have already formed particular opinions, and gives them a sense of ownership over the process.

Karenza Moore discusses her research with People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs). Much research to date focuses on talking at young people about illicit drugs, whilst pretending they don’t take them. In contrast, through listening to young people about their drug use experiences, drug education programmes can improve efficacy, “give voice” to marginalised drug users, and reduce related risks and harms.

Frances Howard discusses the importance of listening in research with young people. Drawing on her previous background as a Youth Worker, she reflects on the importance of spending time with research participants, knowing when to ask questions and relational ethics. Drawing on an ethics-of-care approach to research (Noddings 2013), that listening can be the most challenging role in a conversation.

Following these short presentations, there will be space for event attendees to share questions, ideas and their own approaches to talking and listening to young people.

Programme:

10:00 BERA Intro & Welcome 
10:05 Listening and Talking to Young People Who Use Drugs
Dr Karenza Moore, Newcastle University
10:25 Deliberative Discussions as a listening strategy
Professor Alistair Ross, London Metropolitan University
10:45 Provocation
Dr Frances Howard Nottingham Trent University
10:55 Discussion in breakout rooms
11:30 Conclusion and event close

 

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Chairs & Speakers

Profile picture of Frances Howard
Frances Howard, Ms

Senior Lecturer in Youth Studies at Nottingham Trent University

Dr Frances Howard is a senior lecturer in Youth Studies at Nottingham Trent University. She has previously worked in local authorities, arts education and youth work. Frances has recently published Global Perspectives on Youth Arts Programs: How...

Profile picture of Karenza Moore
Karenza Moore, Dr

Lecturer in Sociology of Crime at Newcastle University

Karenza is a Lecturer in Sociology of Crime at Newcastle University, UK, and co-convenor of the British Sociological Association’s Youth Study Group. Karenza has researched drug use, markets and policies for 18 years. She focuses on alcohol,...

Profile picture of Alistair Ross
Alistair Ross, Professor

Higher Education Lecturer. Teacher education/research, Coordinator European CICE Thematic NetWork Project, University Academic Coordinator for Research Degrees at London Metropolitan University

Alistair Ross is Senior Professor in Politics and Education at London Metropolitan University (part-time). He has a PhD in Politics from the University of London, a DLitt from London Metropolitan, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

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