Perspectives on Child and Youth Participation in Research

Article 12 (1) of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes the right of children and adolescents to freely express their opinions on matters that affect them. Furthermore, their views must be appropriately considered by the signatory states, taking into account their age and maturity.

Research about children has far-reaching consequences for their lives and is therefore of great relevance to both those directly and indirectly affected by it. This suggests that the right to participation should also apply in this context. However, in most studies within childhood and youth research in Germany, children and adolescents are only marginally involved: while they are often surveyed, they rarely participate in the research process itself. This is partly due to methodological, ethical, and legal challenges, as well as potential risks associated with active participation.

This project analyzes specific challenges within various research initiatives, develops concrete participation models, and tests their implementation.

There are three perspectives, to be considered: 

• Ethical perspective: Examining the conditions necessary for a professional relationship between researchers and the children involved.
• Methodological perspective: Investigating which processes and methods ensure or enhance research quality through the involvement of children and adolescents.
• Children’s rights perspective: Addressing the challenges that arise from the tension between protection and participation rights.

The project explores which phases of the research process offer meaningful opportunities for children’s and adolescents’ participation, under what conditions such involvement is most beneficial, and what advantages it brings for both researchers and young participants. This is examined through theoretical analysis, direct exchange in expert discussions and workshops, and the practical testing of participation formats within ongoing research projects of the working group.

The project consists of three modules:

Module 1: Theoretical Foundations
A comprehensive review of national and international research on children’s and adolescents’ participation in research, conducted through literature analysis.

Module 2: Step-by-Step Implementation Research
Development and evaluation of participation formats for specific research projects within the working group, such as the UNICEF Report on the Situation of Children in Germany 2025.

Module 3: International Networking and Exchange
Strengthening international collaboration through expert discussions and networking meetings. Additionally, three interdisciplinary workshops explore opportunities for children’s participation in research, involving scholars, young participants, and science communication experts.

• The first workshop took place on November 29, 2024, at the DJI in Munich, focusing on "Informed Participation and Other Key Moments Enabling Children's and Adolescents' Involvement in the Research Process".

This project looks at how young people (kids, teenagers, young adults) can be more involved in research. According to the Children’s Rights Convention of 1989, you have the right to share your opinion on things that affect you – and adults should take your opinion seriously. But so far, children and teenagers have not regularly been directly involved in research.

We want to find out how you can take part in different phases of research projects. We are looking at how this is done at the German Youth Institute (DJI) and in other countries. At the same time, we are creating and testing new ways for children and teenagers to help with research.

To get good ideas, we read research articles and talk to experts, scientists, and young people like you. The best ideas will be tested in real projects and improved over time.

Do you have questions, or you want to participate? Write an email to guglhoer@dji.de

Regarding the DJI in general, there is also Youth Advisory Board.