Coventry HDRC webinar - Community Led Research From Local Youth Action to International Policymaking

Community Led Research and Action Within the Horizon Europe YOUROPE Project - From Local Youth Action to International Policymaking The webinar presents Coventry-based activities of the YOUROPE Horizon Europe project, which aims to help young people take part in democracy and active citizenship by building inclusive spaces connecting them with each other and decision-makers. YOUROPE is advancing Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA), an innovative approach focused on enabling young people and their communities to lead the creation of tools and spaces to identify issues that matter most to them, come up with solutions, and take meaningful action (Woensdregt, Rwigi & van Stapele, 2023). CLRA flips the script on traditional research-policymaking links, ensuring that decisions are made with young people, rather than for them, and questioning widespread narratives of youth disengagement. The webinar discusses Coventry-based CLRAs, focusing on sustainability and access to safe and inclusive spaces, to illustrate the overall approach of the project, including its promotion of international conversations around key policy themes and youth-friendly policy pathways. Presenters: Dr Luca Morini is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Global Learning (GLEA) of Coventry University. Formerly a youth worker, Luca achieved his Doctorate in Education and Communication by researching the social, cultural and pedagogical dynamics which occur when people co-create playful experiences. He has a track record of teaching, research and publications in the areas of global learning, education technology, community co-creation, critical pedagogy, doctoral education and education for sustainable development. He has experience in qualitative research methodologies and working in partnership with global networks and local communities. As Lead of GLEA's postgraduate programmes, he is also closely involved in supporting the development of inclusive, pluralistic and accessible research communities. Dr Kayden J. Schumacher (they/he) is a Research Fellow at Coventry University working on the Horizon Europe-funded YOUROPE project, which focuses on strengthening youth participation in European democracy, particularly among underrepresented groups. With a multidisciplinary background spanning psychology, education, health, and social policy, their work explores the intersections of mental health, physical wellbeing, gender diversity, and democratic participation across educational and community settings. Alongside their research, Kayden has professional experience as a school counsellor, higher education lecturer, and personal trainer, informing their holistic approach to wellbeing and inclusion. They recently completed a PhD at Coventry University examining the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse students and educators in England, with a focus on wellbeing, educational policy, and institutional inclusion. Using community-led and quantitative research methods, their work bridges research, practice, and policymaking to support healthier, more equitable, and participatory social systems. Dr Michelle Williams is Course Director and Assistant Professor in MA Product Design and Innovation at Coventry University, also a part-time researcher for GLEA. With a background spanning both academia and industry, Michelle holds a PhD in Engineering and Design from the University of Bath. Her teaching and leadership experience covers over a decade of undergraduate and postgraduate education in design thinking, human factors, and sustainable innovation, including curriculum development and external examining in the UK and internationally. Michelle’s expertise centres on inclusive and circular design, for which she has received national and international recognition, and her research and consultancy work advance transdisciplinary, collaborative approaches to inclusive and sustainable product design. Michelle has led projects in both commercial and community contexts. She is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and a member of the FRSA, Her commitment to pedagogic innovation in the area of sustainable development with the community is reflected in numerous awards and accolades for both her teaching and her students.