The Value of Youth Participation in Research: My Journey with Explore

I used to think research was unenjoyable, involving limited opportunities for social engagement and lacking meaning and purpose. Constantly skimming from paper to paper, brainstorming, typing, removing and changing words. How time-consuming and isolating! The research tasks I undertook in university mainly involved developing a strong thesis supported by academic research, with little focus on how to implement change from there.  

I had always thought that to make a positive change, I needed to be directly engaged with individuals and communities.

My lack of understanding about the benefits of research stemmed from not having explored research outside of the tertiary sector. People would tell me “you need a PhD” to work as a researcher. My perceptions were fixed for a long time.  

That was until I saw an opportunity called ‘Explore’ on the CMY (Centre for Multicultural Youth) website, for a research program designed for young people (12 to 25 years old) from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The program was designed to develop young people’s research skills and connections with academics and service providers. It captured my attention since I thought research outside of university was only for experienced academics. The position description also targeted ‘young people with an interest in social advocacy’. As someone who has always been passionate about tackling social issues, I wanted to give the program a go.  

In my interview for the position, I spoke about my commitment to addressing societal problems, including racism and unemployment, and my curiosity to explore the research environment further. I felt surprised when I got offered a position on the program since research was not my expertise. Now, having been involved in the program for more than a year, I have learnt so much more about research while being able to connect with other multicultural young people who have similar values and interests.

In Explore, our youth research team has been able to collaborate with CRIS researchers and government and community stakeholders to co-design research projects, as part of the Living Lab Roundtables organised by the ‘Youth, Diversity and Wellbeing in a Digital Age’ stream. Some of the research training topics were research methods, ethics, and evaluation. 

Through Explore, we have been able to investigate some of the most prominent issues affecting multicultural young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have provided our perspectives as young researchers to relevant government and community stakeholders and other young people, and have received their feedback on possible strategies to alleviate these issues. The recommendations of stakeholders have provided further direction for CRIS researchers to pursue in future projects. I am also aware that the outcomes of this research will be made available to the general public, media, and government.

As a result of this experience, I have come to understand how research can be a useful tool to influence policies and programs. 

I have also come to see the value of youth participation in research. When young people have their voices heard in the research process, they are able to educate researchers on their lived experiences and views, while learning valuable research skills. It is a good idea to include young people in the research process since many of the social issues and actions raised in research are relevant to young people’s lives. 

Whether I am involved in projects about ways to improve mental health outcomes for young people of colour, or enhancing employment opportunities for young people on temporary visas, I am able to contribute effectively to the research due to my skills, passions, and lived experiences as a migrant and international student. Research can be an important source of advocacy, providing evidence-based gaps and recommendations for various societal problems. They can further educate the community through different ways, such as presenting these topics in consultations and seminars. Youth participation in research may also alleviate negative beliefs individuals hold about research, which has certainly been the case for me.  

You may be wondering: How can researchers make research more inclusive for young people? Depending on the young person’s skills and interests, giving them more flexibility on how they want to be involved is a good starting point. Young people can be involved in research in many ways, including as an advisor, a peer researcher, a research assistant, or a participant. Showing young people respect, being a referee on their resumes, and providing reimbursements can make young people feel that their time is valued. More importantly, researchers can make the research appealing to the young people who are most likely to be impacted by the research. Young people may have been taught that research isn't for them, however, finding topics that resonate with their values and passions can enhance their motivation to participate.   

Phuong Nguyen, Youth Researcher, CMY

Phuong Nguyen is a Youth Researcher with CMY's Explore Partnership, a CRIS funded programme that aims to enhance the relevance and responsiveness of research to young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Phuong has completed her degree in Psychology and is currently studying a postgraduate degree in Social Work. When she’s not studying, Phuong dedicates her time to casual work and contracted projects in the social impact and advocacy space with topics such as anti-racism, multiculturalism, and social belonging.