Locked in: an exploration of how children made sense of the COVID-19 lockdown

The candidate noted how the project will aim contribute to a growing body of knowledge about COVID-19 as well as extending knowledge about children's experiences during pandemics. In addition to this they intend to contribute to methodological debates and innovations surrounding creative methods and its uses in social science. The candidate argued that the use of creative methods allows them to present the voices of children and young people to a public audience, allowing for wider engagement and aiding the understanding of how children and young people made sense of the COVID-19 pandemic more generally. They noted the importance of the form of qualitative and creative research they hope to operationalise, especially given the wider scientific consensus that future pandemics are likely. The candidate had already immersed themselves with ethical considerations related to the proposed research drawing from the research training already undertaken and additional occupational experience.