Engaging Justice-Involved Youth In Research: Exploring the Barriers and Opportunities of Youth Advisory Groups

• In Event: Advances in Qualitative Methods III

Abstract

Participatory research methodologies are rarely practiced in studies involving justice-involved young people, yet approaches that engage youth in research can amplify the voices of an often ignored demographic (Pleysier & Kilkelly, 2023; Smithson & Jones, 2020). Youth-engaged methods can provide a more ethical framework for research; however, along with opportunities, technical and ethical barriers can impact the application of this type of research (Reid et al., 2018; Pleysier & Kilkelly, 2013). This presentation unpacks reflections from researchers who constructed and carried out a youth advisory group with justice-involved youth in Canada between the ages of 14-18 years old. The purpose of the youth advisory group was to partner with justice-involved youth to understand their viewpoints on designing a study that focuses on analyzing the experiences of justice-involved youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Canadian Youth Criminal Justice System. Justice-involved young people were engaged in co-creating the structure of the research study as well as contributing to knowledge mobilization strategies. Along with the benefits of youth-centred research in the area of criminology, complexities such as ethical, institutional, and organizational forces that impact the participation of justice-involved youth will be explored.

Authors

• Madison Moore, Trent University

• Caitlin Baruth, University of Toronto

• Kayla Getty, King's University College at Western University

• Christine Goodwin DeFaria, Trent University Durham

• Daniella Bendo, King's University College at Western University