Do boys need male role models? Gender Identities and Practices in Work with Young Men
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Faculty of Health & Social Care
Abstract
Boys and young men have become a key focus of public anxiety in recent years, with politicians, the media and professionals all expressing concern about issues such as boys' educational under-achievement compared to girls, increasing rates of suicide and poor mental health, and involvement in offending and anti-social behaviour. One popular explanation for these poor outcomes has been the apparent absence of male role models from the lives of many vulnerable and troublesome young men. This has resulted in a number of initiatives aimed at increasing male involvement in boys' lives and recruiting more men to work in educational and welfare settings.
But how much do we really know about the part played by gender in work with young men? Does it really make a difference if boys are surrounded by positive male role models? Although there has been some research on these questions in relation to educational settings, there has been comparatively little exploration of what goes on in welfare services, particularly those working with the most vulnerable young men. We know very little about how young men who use these services view the gender of professional workers, or how those workers themselves (whether male or female) see gender issues being played out in their relationships with boys.
This research project will provide a unique opportunity to explore these questions, in a way that will provides fresh insights into young men's lives and contribute to improving professional relationships in welfare settings. The project has been developed in close partnership between a team at The Open University and a major national charity, Action for Children, which has extensive experience of working with vulnerable and troublesome young men. The research will be carried out at Action for Children projects throughout the UK, and project staff and young people themselves will be involved in organising and facilitating the research.
The research will explore the following questions: What ideas and assumptions influence practice with boys and young men and in particular what assumptions about gender inform current theory, policy and practice? How do boys and young men in contact with services talk about their interactions and relationships with male and female professionals? What do they value in their relationships with workers? To what extent is this related to the gender of the worker? What do they identify as essential to developing good relationships? What do girls say about boys and their relationships with workers? How do male and female professionals working with boys and young men across a range of settings talk about and construct their interactions and relationships with service users? What do they identify as essential to developing good relationships? How does gender interact with other aspects of identity, such as class and ethnicity, in relationships between young men and professional workers? What are the implications of these findings for developing interventions with boys and young men who are perceived to be vulnerable or 'at risk'?
The study will include focus groups and individual interviews with young male service users; interviews with male and female workers in the same settings; a number of interviews with young women service users; and an analysis of policy documents, media stories and academic texts covering the issue of 'male role models' and the role of gender in work with young men.
The project will also include a comprehensive dissemination process aimed at sharing the findings of the research with a wide audience including professionals, policy-makers, media and the general public, with a view to increasing understanding of the issues and improving practice in work with boys and young men. The process will include a national conference, staff development events, a video produced by young people, and online discussions for staff and young people, as well as written reports and publications.
But how much do we really know about the part played by gender in work with young men? Does it really make a difference if boys are surrounded by positive male role models? Although there has been some research on these questions in relation to educational settings, there has been comparatively little exploration of what goes on in welfare services, particularly those working with the most vulnerable young men. We know very little about how young men who use these services view the gender of professional workers, or how those workers themselves (whether male or female) see gender issues being played out in their relationships with boys.
This research project will provide a unique opportunity to explore these questions, in a way that will provides fresh insights into young men's lives and contribute to improving professional relationships in welfare settings. The project has been developed in close partnership between a team at The Open University and a major national charity, Action for Children, which has extensive experience of working with vulnerable and troublesome young men. The research will be carried out at Action for Children projects throughout the UK, and project staff and young people themselves will be involved in organising and facilitating the research.
The research will explore the following questions: What ideas and assumptions influence practice with boys and young men and in particular what assumptions about gender inform current theory, policy and practice? How do boys and young men in contact with services talk about their interactions and relationships with male and female professionals? What do they value in their relationships with workers? To what extent is this related to the gender of the worker? What do they identify as essential to developing good relationships? What do girls say about boys and their relationships with workers? How do male and female professionals working with boys and young men across a range of settings talk about and construct their interactions and relationships with service users? What do they identify as essential to developing good relationships? How does gender interact with other aspects of identity, such as class and ethnicity, in relationships between young men and professional workers? What are the implications of these findings for developing interventions with boys and young men who are perceived to be vulnerable or 'at risk'?
The study will include focus groups and individual interviews with young male service users; interviews with male and female workers in the same settings; a number of interviews with young women service users; and an analysis of policy documents, media stories and academic texts covering the issue of 'male role models' and the role of gender in work with young men.
The project will also include a comprehensive dissemination process aimed at sharing the findings of the research with a wide audience including professionals, policy-makers, media and the general public, with a view to increasing understanding of the issues and improving practice in work with boys and young men. The process will include a national conference, staff development events, a video produced by young people, and online discussions for staff and young people, as well as written reports and publications.
Planned Impact
The research will have a significant impact in four key areas: academic research and teaching, policy development, improving services, and the lives of young men.
In academic terms, the research will be of benefit to researchers and educators in a range of disciplines, including sociology, psychology and gender studies, but also in vocational disciplines such as social work and education. The study will contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of how young masculinities develop, of relationships between young men and professionals, and of the part played by gender identities and practices in care and welfare relationships.
In policy terms, the research will inform the efforts of policy-makers, campaigners, commentators and others, contributing to the development of a more effective, nuanced and evidence-based policy response to the needs of young men, for example in relation to youth offending, antisocial behaviour, educational underachievement and mental health problems. By raising questions about the 'male role model' discourse, the research will also be of interest to a wider general audience that we will seek to engage through specific media interventions.
In relation to service delivery, the main beneficiaries of the research will be managers and frontline staff working in services with vulnerable or 'at risk' young men, for example in youth offending teams, youth work, social work, counselling projects, and schools and colleges. The research will foster more critical and informed understandings of how gender 'works' in professional relationships with young men, and will provide guidance to staff on improving those relationships. The partnership with Action for Children will provide the opportunity for the research to engage directly with the culture and practices of a major agency in contact with vulnerable young people, as well as acting as a springboard for a wider impact on the recruitment, training and supervision of both male and female professionals.
Finally, the research will benefit young men themselves, particularly those in vulnerable and 'at risk' groups, by helping to ensure that policy and services targeted at them are more critically and sensitively attuned to their needs. The young people who participate in the research, as well as other young service users in contact with Action for Children, will benefit in terms of confidence and skills through direct involvement in the study and in the planned impact activities.
Additionally, any peer-reviewed publications arising from this grant will be registered on the Open University's open access institutional repository - Open Research Online (ORO) at http://oro.open.ac.uk. ORO is now one of the largest repositories in the UK. The site receives an average of 32,000 visitors per month from 188 different countries and has received over 1.4 million visitors since 2006. It enables access to research outputs via common search engines including Google, by using the OAI (Open Archives Initiative) Protocol for Metadata Harvesting.
In academic terms, the research will be of benefit to researchers and educators in a range of disciplines, including sociology, psychology and gender studies, but also in vocational disciplines such as social work and education. The study will contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of how young masculinities develop, of relationships between young men and professionals, and of the part played by gender identities and practices in care and welfare relationships.
In policy terms, the research will inform the efforts of policy-makers, campaigners, commentators and others, contributing to the development of a more effective, nuanced and evidence-based policy response to the needs of young men, for example in relation to youth offending, antisocial behaviour, educational underachievement and mental health problems. By raising questions about the 'male role model' discourse, the research will also be of interest to a wider general audience that we will seek to engage through specific media interventions.
In relation to service delivery, the main beneficiaries of the research will be managers and frontline staff working in services with vulnerable or 'at risk' young men, for example in youth offending teams, youth work, social work, counselling projects, and schools and colleges. The research will foster more critical and informed understandings of how gender 'works' in professional relationships with young men, and will provide guidance to staff on improving those relationships. The partnership with Action for Children will provide the opportunity for the research to engage directly with the culture and practices of a major agency in contact with vulnerable young people, as well as acting as a springboard for a wider impact on the recruitment, training and supervision of both male and female professionals.
Finally, the research will benefit young men themselves, particularly those in vulnerable and 'at risk' groups, by helping to ensure that policy and services targeted at them are more critically and sensitively attuned to their needs. The young people who participate in the research, as well as other young service users in contact with Action for Children, will benefit in terms of confidence and skills through direct involvement in the study and in the planned impact activities.
Additionally, any peer-reviewed publications arising from this grant will be registered on the Open University's open access institutional repository - Open Research Online (ORO) at http://oro.open.ac.uk. ORO is now one of the largest repositories in the UK. The site receives an average of 32,000 visitors per month from 188 different countries and has received over 1.4 million visitors since 2006. It enables access to research outputs via common search engines including Google, by using the OAI (Open Archives Initiative) Protocol for Metadata Harvesting.
Organisations
Publications
Featherstone B
(2016)
'They are just good peoplegenerally good people': perspectives of young men on relationships with social care workers in the UK
in Children & Society
Featherstone, B.
(2015)
Beyond male role models in social care: What works when working with young men?
in Community Care
Robb, M.
(2017)
Different Childhoods
Ruxton, S.
(2015)
Do Boys Need Male Role Models?
Ruxton, S.
(2015)
Windows to working with men and boys
Ruxton, S.
(2015)
Beyond male role models: key issues in working with young men
Ruxton, S.
(2018)
Global Masculinities: interrogations and reconstructions
Ruxton, S.
(2015)
Do Boys Need Male Role Models?
Ruxton, S.
(2017)
An Exploration of Global Masculinities
| Description | Young men 'at risk' have often experienced difficult family relationships, including negative relationships with their fathers, but some also have positive relationships with their mothers and strong female influences in their lives. The experience of becoming a father can provide a catalyst for making the transition to a more responsible masculine identity. Young men's masculine identities are strongly defined by locality. Young men 'at risk' tend to be embedded in local cultures of hypermasculinity, often with problematic consequences. Many aspire to a 'safer' and more responsible masculinity, with their aspirations again being largely shaped by local expectations. Support services provide a vital 'third space' in which young men can make the transition to safer and less risky adult masculine identities, with activities providing the gateway to practical advice, emotional support and the building of relationships. Young men using support services value the personal qualities and commitment of staff above their gender or other social identities. Young men value respect, trust, consistency, and a sense of care and commitment, in workers, and these qualities are key to developing effective helping relationships. A sense of shared experience and social background between young men and staff can be valuable in developing effective relationships, and in 'modelling' transitions to a more positive masculine identity. Although the term 'male role model' was used by some young men and staff, there was a lack of clarity about what was meant by it. Workers in support services act less as role models for young men to imitate, and more as mentors or guides with whom they are able to negotiate and co-construct new identities andfutures. |
| Exploitation Route | The research points to the importance of policy and practice taking account of the diverse and complex family relationships, local cultures and social inequalities that have shaped the lives of young men in contact with support services. At the same time, there is a need to recognise that many young men come to services because they are seeking to make the transition to a 'safer' adult masculine identity, and that their aspirations - for a job, family, home - are not very different from those of other young people. At a time when the funding and futures of support services are under threat, this research demonstrates the vital role that such services play in offering a safe, transitional space in which young men 'at risk' can begin to construct better futures for themselves. Within these services, the paramount importance of helping relationships based on care, trust and consistency has been demonstrated, pointing to a need to make relationship-building central to staff training, team development and performance agendas. The research also raises important questions about the relative importance of gender and other social identities in recruiting staff to work with vulnerable young men. Gender identities and relationships inform young men's lives in important and complex ways, and being able to identify with staff along the lines of gender, ethnicity or shared social background certainly plays a role and should not be overlooked. However, effective work with young men seems to depend above all on personal qualities and commitment, and on the ability to form relationshipsof mutual care and respect. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| URL | http://www.open.ac.uk/health-and-social-care/research/beyond-male-role-models/report |
| Description | General Making an impact on policy and practice was built into the research project from the outset in a number of important ways. The project was a partnership with Action for Children and we also worked closely with Working With Men. Both organisations were closely involved in the project steering committee. Senior staff from both agencies attended our launch conference and policy seminar and declared that the study had already begun to influence the way their services worked with boys and young men. Our steering committee also included representatives from government and third sector organisations who helped to ensure that our findings were disseminated to a broad policy and practice audience. During the funding period, and in the subsequent year, project team members have been involved in a wide range of activities which we believe have begun to have a significant influence on policy and practice in relation to work with boys and young men, as set out below. Policy impact In June 2014 Martin Robb (Principal Investigator) and Sandy Ruxton (consultant) gave a presentation about the research study to a roundtable meeting on engaging men for gender equality, organised by the UK Government Equalities Office. One outcome was that Martin Robb was asked to represent the UK at a European Commission exchange of good practice seminar in Helsinki, Finland, in October 2014. Subsequent to this the GEO invited Martin to participate in a panel, alongside a government minister and third sector representatives, at the National Consultation with Women NGO Event, and in another panel discussion on men and gender equality, alongside a government minister and business representatives, organised by the Women's Business Council and Barclays in the City of London. Martin Robb was also invited to join a panel with a Member of Parliament and business representative organised in 2015 by Ernst and Young and the City Women's Network. This series of activities culminated in Martin receiving an invitation from Nicky Morgan, the Minister for Women and Equalities, to join business leaders and representatives from education in the new 'Men as Change Agents' working group, sponsored by the Government Equalities Office and the Women's Business Council. The group has been appointed for three years, after which it will report to government. All of these invitations have come about as a direct result of the research study and have presented opportunities for Martin to disseminate the findings of the study to politicians, civil servants, business leaders and leading representatives from the voluntary sector. For the study's launch seminar in October 2013, Sandy Ruxton prepared a paper outlining the policy context and the relevance of the research to policies in relation to fatherhood, education, and childcare. The seminar was attended by representatives from policy 'think tanks', voluntary organisations and academia, and provided an opportunity to raise awareness policy issues arising from the study among key stakeholder groups. A recording of the event was made and shared online. There are plans to update the policy paper in late 2016 so as to further stimulate public debate. In November 2014 Sandy Ruxton gave a presentation to the MenEngage 2nd Global Symposium in Delhi, India. Sandy subsequently also presented the research at a meeting of about 30 NGO members of the MenEngage Europe network in Zagreb, Croatia. The Symposium was attended by 1200 participants from 95 countries, including global leaders from international organisations, government representatives, and activists from a wide range of NGOs. Considerable interest was expressed in the research, and a chapter on the study has been accepted for a forthcoming international collection that will be relevant not just to academics but also to wider audiences. Sandy gave a presentation on the research to the 'Feminism in London' conference in October 2015, attended by over 1000 women from across the country and beyond. This provided an opportunity to discuss the research with a key constituency of activists, and prompted an invitation to write an opinion piece in Huffington Post in November 2015. To date, this article has been 'liked' 407 times, and 'shared' 85 times, on Facebook. In November 2015, Sandy also chaired a session on boys' education at the two-day 'Being a Man' festival at the Southbank Centre in London. The panel for the session was composed of people working directly with young men in schools. The session was attended by about 200 people (mainly men), and was open to a general audience. The discussion explored, among other things, issues relating to 'male role models', and whether boys and young men were influenced primarily by male teachers, or both male and female teachers. The video of this session has been viewed 290 times on Youtube. In March 2016 Martin Robb and Brigid Featherstone (Co-Investigator) gave a presentation on the findings of the research study to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, chaired by David Lammy MP. Although it is too early to assess the impact on policy of this event, it was encouraging that a number of those attending, including Mr Lammy, requested further information, and reference was made to our study's relevance to his current review, at the request of the Prime Minister, of outcomes for black young men. A new book by well-known author Rebecca Asher ('Man Up: Boys, Men and Breaking the Male Rules', to be published in May 2016 by Random House) refers explicitly to the research study in a specific section on role models, and rehearses some of the policy and practice arguments outlined in our work. It can be expected that the launch of this book, appealing to a popular, non-academic audience, will stimulate significant public discussion about the issues involved. Practice impact In early 2015 Martin Robb gave a presentation about the findings of the research study to practitioners at Southwark Youth Offending Service in London. As a result, the Service used the findings as the basis for its summer programme with young offenders. An exhibition was held in August 2015, displaying art work and audio and video projects by participants in the programme. The research study can be said to have resulted in improving the awareness and skills of practitioners, and also changing the attitudes and behaviour of service users. Brigid Featherstone's presentation to the Joint Social Work Education Conference aimed to encourage social work educators from across the UK and internationally to reflect on how issues relating to boys and young men are dealt with in social work training. The result has been interest in revitalising a network of practitioners, educators and policy makers around gender and child welfare in order to develop accessible briefings for practitioners working with boys and young men. Brigid gave a presentation on the research to senior managers at Leeds City Council in March 2016. The study's findings are being used to inform the development of restorative and relationship-based approaches to work with families. Brigid's presentations on the research to the Directors of Children's and Adult Services, to Calderdale Safeguarding Children Board, and a Making Research Count event on mental health issues for boys and men, have further disseminated our findings to a wide range of practitioners. Both of these events were received positively by practitioners who reflected on the importance of ensuring their services incorporate a gender dimension. Brigid Featherstone has offered consultancy to workers who seek to strengthen their practice. In January 2016 Martin Robb, Brigid Featherstone and Sandy Ruxton presented a paper on the research study, and showed the project video, to a 200-strong audience of social work practitioners at a Making Research Count conference at King's College, London, leading for many requests for further information and resources (including the video) to be used in local staff training and development events. Summary As a result of these activities, which are ongoing, the research study has gained a high profile among policy-makers and practitioners concerned with the welfare of boys and young men. There are already signs that the findings of the study have begun to influence policy discussions and to have an impact on direct work with vulnerable boys and young men. At this early stage, it is difficult to point to specific changes in policy and practice, but we are confident that these will become apparent in the coming months. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Membership of 'Men as Change Agents' Working Group (Women's Business Council) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://womensbusinesscouncil.dcms.gov.uk |
| Description | Southwark Youth Offending Service summer programme based on our research findings |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Southwark Youth Offending Service organised a summer programme for young male and female offenders in 2015, based on the findings of our 'Beyond Male Role Models' research, and following our presentation to their professional team. Outcomes included raised awareness among service staff, and an exhibition, videos and recordings produced by service users, reflecting greater awareness of gender issues and changes in their attitudes and behaviour. |
| Description | Government roundtable on men as change agents for equality, Government Equalities Office, London (Martin Robb, PI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on our research project led to questions and discussion, and to invitation to participate in further events at national and European level. See above - invitation to represent UK as independent expert at European event on similar theme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Joint Social Work Education Conference, Royal Hollway, London University (Brigid Featherstone, CoI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Other academics very interested in keeping in contact with project and attending end-of-award conference. See above. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation by Martin Robb and Brigid Featherstone, reporting findings from ESRC-funded research, to All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, chaired by David Lammy MP. The presentation sparked lively discussion, many requests for further information, including a request from Mr Lammy, in the context of his current enquiry (at request of Prime Minister) into unequal outcomes for black young men. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://martinrobb.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/presenting-our-research-at-the-houses-of-parliament/ |
| Description | Chairing session on 'Boys and education' at 'Being a Man' Festival, London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Sandy Ruxton (consultant to our study) chaired a lively session on 'boys and education' at 'Being a Man' festival in London and was able to introduce key findings from our study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RzK2uVTjJA&list=PLBAQtIf4z_FaBCBPBm13zoGEWC7EfWd-x&index=13 |
| Description | Conference presentation in Portland, Oregon, USA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 'Young men, social disadvantage and the development of caring masculinities', presentation to international conference of Care Ethics Research Consortium, University of Portland, Oregon, USA. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| Description | End-of-award conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The conference, at which the findings of the study were shared with a diverse audience, resulted in multiple requests for further information and engagement. Professionals from a youth justice project asked for a meeting with their staff group to develop good practice guidelines based on this research. The director of a national voluntary organisation requested a copy of the video film produced as part of the study, for use in staff development on a nationwide basis. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.open.ac.uk/health-and-social-care/research/beyond-male-role-models/end-award-conference |
| Description | European Commission exchange of good practice seminar on the role of men in gender equality, Helsinki (Martin Robb, PI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Contributed written and oral reports on UK context, drawing on our research project. Final report to include my report, to be sent to European Commission for action, and circulated to interested parties throughout European Union. See above. In addition to impact on policy-making at European level, contact made with researchers and policy-makers working in similar fields across Europe. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Huffington Post article on 'male role models' research based on interview with Martin Robb |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Huffington Post Learning Lab published an article entitled 'Why Consistent Carers Are More Important Than Male Role Models for Boys' based on an interview with Martin Robb about our 'Beyond male role models' research study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/16/consistent-carers-more-important-than-male-role-models-fo... |
| Description | Joint Social Work Education Conference at The Open University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented by Prof Brigid Featherstone (CoI) on 'Beyond male role models' as part of Symposium on Gender and Social Work: Where have we got to and where are we going? |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Making Research Count Conference, London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and showing of video to 200 social workers and other practitioners, summarising the study and its relevance to practice with boys and young men, as part of a one-day conference on relationship-based practice with men and boys. Presentation sparked lively discussion, questions and requests for further information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/policy-institute/scwru/mrc/events2016/Relationship-Based-Practice-with-Men... |
| Description | MenEngage Global Symposium on engaging with men and masculinities for development, gender equality and social justice in a globalizing world, Delhi, India (Sandy Ruxton, consultant) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on our research project findings. Resulted in interest in research findings from international participants. Request for follow-on information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.menengagedilli2014.net |
| Description | National Conference of Directors of Children and Adult Services, Manchester (Brigid Featherstone, CoI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Participants expressed interest in attending end-of-award conference. 'Guardian' expressed interest in follow-up article. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | National Consultation with Women NGO event, Department for Culture, Media & Sport (Martin Robb, PI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Took part in panel discussion alongside Minister for Women and NGO representatives, my presentation drawing on the findings of our research project. Presentation sparked questions and discussions, requests for information. See above. My presentation was included in notes / report of event, which will influence UK government position at UN events mentioned above. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Presentation at 'Masculinity studies in the North' conference, Iceland (Michael Ward, Research Assistant) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We were able to make contact with leading international academics and share our research with them at length. We were invited by a leading publisher to submit a proposal for a book based on our research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://nfmm2014.yourhost.is |
| Description | Presentation at International Conference on Men and Masculinities, New York City, uSA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Presentation resulted in multiple conversations with researchers, activists and practitioners attending this diverse and high-profile conference. The developer of a database of research on men and masculinities asked to include this research in the database. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Presentation at Journal of Youth Studies Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Michael Ward presented a paper on 'Gender identity work with young men' based on the findings from our research study, prompting lively debate and requests for further information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.sfi.dk/jys_conference_2015-12616.aspx |
| Description | Presentation at Southwark Youth Offending Service |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of research findings to Youth Offending practitioners for Southwark area of London. As a result, the Youth Offending Service organised a summer programme for young male and female offenders on 'Making Men', based on our research results. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Presentation on working with men |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation by Prof Brigid Featherstone (Co-Investigator) in January 2017 to about 80 social workers at Leeds City Council, on working with men, drawing on findings for the research study and their relevance for professionals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation to 'Supporting Boys' event in Glasgow |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 50 people, mostly practitioners from diverse services working with children and young people across Scotland, attended a one-day event on 'Supporting Boys', which included a presentation on the findings of our research project, and a showing of the project video. It sparked questions, discussion, requests for further information, and the establishment of a good network of contacts across Scotland for future research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://policyhubscotland.co.uk/events/supporting-boys-conference/ |
| Description | Presentation to Calderdale Safeguarding Children Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Brigid Featherstone (CoI) gave presentation entitled 'Beyond male role models: Gender Identities in Action' at One Wrong Turn?: A conference for practitioners to help children and young people make positive life choices and promote emotional health and well-being. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Workshop on male role models / men as carers at Feminism in London conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Sandy Ruxton (consultant to our study) led a workshop on male role models / men as carers at the annual Feminism in London conference and was able to share findings from our study with participants, sparking lively interest and debate. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |