Involving young voices in research and development (R&D) isn’t just a good idea for more inclusive education R&D—it’s essential for creating solutions that genuinely work for youth.
When youth voices aren’t fully or authentically included in the R&D process, researchers and product developers risk more than just wasted resources. They miss key insights, potentially creating products and programs that don’t resonate, fail to engage, or even damage trust.
For young people, this can mean feeling unheard, misunderstood, or disconnected from the resources meant to support them. Over time, these gaps can lead to a lack of engagement and missed opportunities for growth.
Yet, knowing where to start when working with youth can be a challenge. Engaging youth requires a thoughtful approach to create authentic connections and gather feedback that genuinely reflects their experiences.
Our team at In Tandem has refined this process over years of working directly with young people. Here are five practical ways to ensure youth involvement is both meaningful and impactful. P.S. If you want to dive into the details regarding compliance, privacy, compensation, recruitment and more, check out the Youth Voice Playbook!
1. Create a youth-friendly environment
To engage young participants effectively, it’s essential to establish an environment where they feel comfortable, respected, and valued.
- Use accessible communication: Use clear and inclusive language to engage youth and create a comfortable space for sharing ideas. Valuing them as equals encourages genuine participation.
- Offer flexible involvement: Acknowledge the scheduling challenges of school and activities by offering flexible options like remote participation. Meeting youth where they are—both in time and comfort—encourages commitment without added stress.
- Provide mentorship and support: Connect youth with consistent mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and advice. This support enhances their experience and helps build confidence and skills.
- Compensate fairly: Compensate youth for their time and expertise based on their participation level. Fair payment shows respect for their contributions and values their insights.
2. Set clear expectations and goals
To foster a collaborative environment, it’s essential to set clear expectations from the start.
- Define roles and responsibilities: Specify expectations for each youth participant and their contributions to the project's success. Clear roles provide a sense of purpose and highlight their impact.
- Establish goals together: Engage youth in setting objectives to foster ownership and responsibility for the project. When they feel their voices shape the vision, they are more likely to stay engaged.
- Create structure: Provide a roadmap with milestones to help youth understand the process and expected outcomes, boosting their confidence to contribute meaningfully.
3. Build trust and encourage open dialogue
Trust and open communication are key to effective youth engagement. Fostering a safe environment where youth feel comfortable speaking up can unlock deeper levels of creativity and collaboration.
- Encourage open communication: Establish channels for youth to share ideas and feedback without fear of judgment, emphasizing that every contribution is valued and essential to the project.
- Value all contributions: Appreciate every idea, regardless of size, and avoid dismissing suggestions. When young people feel respected, they engage more openly and enthusiastically.
- Invite questions: Promote understanding by inviting questions, which helps participants feel more at ease. When youth can ask questions openly, it strengthens their confidence and role in the project.
4. Offer development opportunities
Youth involvement in R&D should be a two-way street. Providing opportunities for personal and professional growth enhances the experience for participants and contributes to the project’s success.
- Provide skill-building resources: Offer training on skills like research, project management, or communication. This supports youth in contributing effectively while gaining valuable skills.
- Acknowledge contributions publicly: Recognize youth involvement through shoutouts and celebrations. Public appreciation boosts their sense of accomplishment and gives them professional experience.
- Highlight long-term impact: Share how their involvement can boost future careers by gaining professional experience, expanding their network, and developing skills that open professional doors.
5. Sustain engagement and avoid burnout
To keep youth engagement effective, it’s important to maintain enthusiasm without overwhelming them.
- Schedule regular check-ins: Frequent check-ins help project leaders monitor participants' well-being and provide support, fostering engagement through simple conversations about how they are feeling. Remember, teens are human, too!
- Balance project tasks: Assign tasks based on participants’ skills and interests, avoiding overly challenging or monotonous responsibilities. Allow youth to opt-in to topics or activities they find particularly engaging.
- Allow for breaks: Especially in long-term projects, giving youth time to rest and reflect is crucial. Short breaks help them recharge, maintaining their energy and creativity.
Tap youth insights for lasting impact
Encouraging youth involvement in R&D brings fresh insights while preparing the next generation of innovators. By setting up clear expectations, fostering open communication, and offering the right support, organizations can unlock the full potential of youth perspectives to drive innovative, impactful solutions.
For a deeper dive into meaningful youth engagement, check out the Youth Voice Playbook. Multiple organizations co-created this guide to help anyone who does research involving youth.
Abbie Wyatt-McGill is Director of Business Development at In Tandem, a nonprofit that makes it easy and safe for organizations to engage with youth and collect authentic feedback on the products and services designed for today’s teens.