Current Research

YOUR VOICE, YOUR FUTURE

COMMENCED: JUNE 2020
PLANNED PUBLICATION: AUTUMN 2020

Young people in this generation have developed a reputation for caring about issues of social and environmental justice. Tearfund has commissioned the Youthscape Centre for Research to get beneath the perceptions and hear from young people themselves. The first part of the study is a survey of 14-19 year old Christians across the UK and the second is a series of focus groups with young Christian climate activists. To share the survey on the world post-COVID-19, the climate and the church, please visit this page.

SUSTAINING THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION IN YOUTH MINISTRY

Commenced: October 2019
Planned publication: Autumn 2020

The Centre for Research is excited to be partnering with St Mellitus College to conduct a small-scale research project into the factors that enable or hinder the practice of theological reflection beyond a youth work/ministry degree. Theological reflection can be very powerful for shaping youth ministry practice and is part of a number of undergraduate ministry courses. However, it is not clear whether or how the practice survives amidst the pressures of life and ministry. The research will explore how reflection is experienced, framed and practised within the day-to-day work of youth ministry in Anglican churches, via a survey and focus groups. The project is funded by Durham University under the Common Awards Seedcorn Grant programme.

THE ST ALBANS YOUTH MINISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT

Commenced: November 2019
Planned publication: Summer 2020

The Centre for Research has been commissioned to undertake research that supports the development and renewal of the church’s work with young people in the Diocese of St Albans. We are conducting a survey and running focus groups with clergy and youth workers, to understand how churches engage with young people, to learn from one another, and to identify opportunities and barriers for youth ministry. The findings will inform the development of a diocesan strategy.

FAITH SENSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND SEX EDUCATION

Commenced: June 2019
Planned publication: Early 2021

As well as directing the Centre, Lucie Shuker is a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bedfordshire. In that capacity she is spending some time working for the International Centre: researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking. The project involves reviewing existing research, conducting a survey and running some focus groups with young Muslims and Christians, to explore their experiences and perspectives on talking about sex and relationships in school. The work is commissioned by Faiths Against Child Sexual Exploitation, a coalition of Muslims and Christians in Luton.

RELIGION, FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY IN JNC YOUTH WORK PROGRAMMES

Commenced: March 2019
Planned publication: TBC

We are working with Dr Naomi Thompson (Goldsmiths University) to survey leaders of JNC-validated courses about where religion, faith and spirituality feature in youth work training programmes. The initial survey explores the topics that are covered, the ways they are covered and course leaders’ perceptions of the role of religion in their courses.