New peer reviewed articles!

We are delighted to share our first two full-length peer reviewed articles drawing on the data from the research! Both were published over the last few weeks.

First, ‘Capturing the magic’: grassroots perspectives on evaluating open youth work was published in the Journal of Youth Studies in December. This article argues that evaluation encompasses more than measuring outcomes. It draws our original qualitative research with young people and youth workers to argue that evaluation and accountability processes must be practice-informed, youth-centred, and anti-oppressive. While young people and youth workers had often participated in evaluations they found meaningful, some approaches to impact measurement were experienced as too formal, intrusive, insensitive and burdensome. While those of you who know our work will not be surprised by the findings (as we have tried to share these accessibly throughout the study) this article is the fully evidenced, peer reviewed version of the main findings of our study in relation to evaluation in open youth work.

Second, ‘It’s a great place to find where you belong’: creating, curating and valuing place and space in open youth work was published last week in Children’s Geographies. This article focuses less on evaluation and more on the value of youth work, with a particular focus on its spatial aspects. We will write more about this article soon!

Both articles are available open access on the above hyperlinks, but do let us know if you have any trouble accessing them.