Children and Young People as Social Actors in Families, Schools, Communities and Public Systems: Enhancing their quality of life
About the ResearchThe well-being and rights of children and young people (including those with disabilities) are the focus of this theme. The research concerns how children participate in and contribute to society and how their growing competence is supported or placed at risk, in this process. Children's voice and the extent to which it is heard and acted upon in families, the legal, health, social welfare and education systems, are part of this theme. Theoretical frameworks include ecological, sociology of childhood, postructuralist and sociocultural perspectives. We have developed new methodologies to help us access children's interpretations, including digital photography, and employment of peer researchers. CoordinatorsCluster Members and Research Interests
Associate Professor Lisette Burrows School of Physical Education Lisette Burrows' broad research interests are in the social construction of health and physical education curriculum and the place and meaning of health and physical activity in young people's lives.
Lyn FooteUniversity of Otago College of Education Lyn Foote is Director, Centre for Early Childhood Education, University of Otago College of Education. Lyn's research interests in early childhood include pedagogy and curriculum, children's learning, home based early childhood education and early literacy. Associate Professor Claire FreemanDepartment of Geography Claire Freeman's research interests include planning for the natural environment; planning with children; and sustainable settlements. Mr Michael GaffneyCentre for Research on Children and Families Michael Gaffney has been involved in a number of research areas: early childhood and school policy in New Zealand; the use of computers in New Zealand schools; children's video and television; access arrangements for children following parental separation; early childhood professional development; disability studies; and links between school culture and bullying and school-wide approaches to behaviour management. Dr Ruth GassonUniversity of Otago College of Education Ruth Gasson's research interests have been in Children’s Rights, especially the working lives of young people, and in the philosophy of education. She has recently completed a project that investigated the experiences of young people in special education. Ruth enjoys investigating how social policy impacts on people’s lives.
Associate Professor Robin GauldDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine Robin Gauld is presently Associate Professor of Health Policy. His current research includes studies of public and physician use of the internet, global patterns of health reform, and health systems in developed East Asia. He is presently working on a book for Open University Press called The New Health Policy: Global Patterns, National Agendas. Associate Professor Anita GibbsDepartment of Social Work and Community Development Anita Gibbs' research interests include supervised contact services; mainstream, alternative and indigenous social work theories and methodologies; probation and criminal justice, especially alternatives to custody; home detention and electronic monitoring; victims; Compulsory Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) and mental illness; health and welfare needs of Pacific people. Ms Megan GollopCentre for Research on Children and Families Megan Gollop's research interests include socio-legal research; parental separation/divorce; post-separation family issues; supervised contact; family discipline; methodological and ethical issues in relation to children’s participation in research; and children’s voice and participation. Professor Mark HenaghanFaculty of Law Mark Henaghan, Dean of the Faculty of Law, has research interests that include family law, children's rights, law and the human genome, and the role of judges. Dr Nancy Higgins email: n.higgins@clear.net.nz Nancy Higgins is interested in research that explores social justice and inclusion for disabled people (including children). She is presently leading two HRC funded research projects. The first project is entitled Growing up kapo Maori: Whanau, cultural well-being and health, and will explore the experiences of kapo (blind) Maori and their whanau. The second is Working in intellectual disability services: Staff retention and turnover. This project will examine the working lives of front-line support staff in residential services. Ms Emily KeddellDepartment of Social Work and Community Development Emily Keddell's research interests include child welfare policy and practice and cultural identities. Dr Julie LawrenceWomen and Children's Health, Dunedin Hospital Julie Lawrence’s research interests include family discipline practices; school exclusion; fathers who are in prison; the methodological and ethical issues in relation to children’s participation in research; and the working lives of children and young people. Julie is currently leading a two-year research study on disciplinary practices in family settings. Dr Jude MacArthuremail: teamalloo@xtra.co.nz Jude McArthur is involved in a number of research areas dealing with social experiences of children with disabilities. Margaret Mackenzie-DavidsonDepartment of Social Work and Community Development Margaret McKenzie-Davidson's research interests include supervised contact services; family group conferences and child protection; family social work practices; social work theory and method; social work research and evaluation.
Professor Helen MayUniversity of Otago College of Education Helen May, Dean of the University of Otago College of Education, focuses her research on early childhood issues - policy, history and curriculum. Dr Brigit Mirfin-VeitchDonald Beasley Institute Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Director of the Donald Beasley Institute, has a strong interest in deinstitutionalization and her doctoral research focussed on understanding families’ experiences of the closure of a large hospital based residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities. She is interested in the area of health education with women with intellectual disabilities and maintains a commitment to work which increases the opportunity for women to have better access to health information. Her explores family relationships, family dynamics, and support issues in families including adults or children with disabilities. She also has an interest in the health and wellbeing of children with disabilities. Brigit’s current research focuses on the experiences of parents who have intellectual disabilities and she has an active involvement in this issue at a local, national and international level. Dr Tamar MurachverDepartment of Psychology Tamar Murachver's research interests include the interplay between language, cognition, and social understanding; how language is used to create and maintain social categories (such as gender and ethnicity); and how ideas about gender influence people’s expressions, perceptions, and interpretations of aggression. Dr Karen Nairn University of Otago College of Education Karen Nairn's research includes the following areas: post-school transitions and young people's identities; gender, sexuality, 'race' and youth cultures; the politics of voice; feminist issues in education; critical social and poststructuralist theory; qualitative research; and secondary and tertiary education practices. Ms Judith SligoDunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit
, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine
, Judith Sligo's research interests include children, young people and their families; social policy; parenting; research methods. Emeritus Professor Anne Smith
University of Otago College of Education
Anne Smith's research interests lie in the area of Childhood Studies, with a particular focus on children’s rights, especially children and young people’s participation in society. She also works in the following areas:- learning dispositions and sociocultural context for young children’s learning; quality early childhood environments - particular interest in training/qualifications issues; family, early childhood centre and school influences on children’s development – especially punishment and other forms of family discipline; international policy and law relating to physical punishment in the home; changes in family form and structure and effects on children (especially divorce and separation).
Dr Nicola TaylorCentre for Research on Children and Families Nicola Taylor is currently based at the University of Otago Auckland Centre. She is involved in socio-legal research with children, parents and professionals concerning the impact of legal and welfare processes on family life; children’s participation in family law proceedings; and family discipline and rural childhood issues. Nicola currently has a 3 year research grant from the New Zealand Law Foundation to study relocation (domestic and international) issues following parental separation. She is also leading two international study groups (through the Childwatch International Research Network) undertaking cross-cultural comparative research on children’s perspectives on citizenship, and children and the law.
Research ProjectsCurrent and recent projects include: Family Resilience and Early Childhood Centres(J Duncan, C Bowden, A B Smith) (2001- 2004)Three case studies of Early Childhood centres catering for low income children focusing on how the centres supported family resilience and linked families with other support agencies. Changing school culture to reduce bullying (M Gaffney, N Taylor, J McCormack, N Higgins (College of Education)) (2003-2004)Three case studies of schools illustrating good practice in creating positive school cultures and environments with a particular focus on reducing bullying, in a school in each of these areas. Disability and Identity (J McArthur, B Kelly, M Gaffney, S Sharp)(2002-2006)How school experiences contribute to the development of disabled and non-disabled children's identity as they move from primary to secondary school. In transition': How the children of the economic reforms articulate identities at the child/adult border (K Nairn, J Higgins (Canterbury University), L Tuhiwai Smith (Auckland University)) (2000-2006)How young people craft their identities during their final year of school and their first post-school year - the influence of biographical experience, social relations, place, and economic and social change. Young People's Participation in Public Life (K Nairn, A B Smith, M Gaffney, J McCormack, J Sligo) (2000-2004)Children and young people's participation in three aspects of public life: school governance, central government, local government. The main report was recently published but further work is continuing. Children as Citizens (A B Smith, N Taylor, M Gollop, K Marshall, Childwatch International) (2004-2005)A cross-cultural and cross-generational study on children's and adults' perspectives about what constitutes good citizenship (for children and young people) and influences nation building. Dispositions in Social Context (A B Smith, J Duncan, K Marshall, M Carr (Waikato University), W Lee (Waikato University), C Jones (Waikato University)) (2002-2004)Children's lifelong learning patterns are influenced by their early experiences, especially their interactions with people, places and things. We are looking at how 4 year-old children are engaged with their Early Childhood centre settings, and if children's 'dispositions' endure when they enter school. Under-three-year-olds in kindergarten: Children's experiences and teachers' practices (J Duncan, C Dalli (Victoria University), Dunedin and Wellington Kindergarten Associations)(2004-2005)The experiences of 2-year-olds in kindergartens, and work with teachers to reflect on their planning and assessment practices with these young children. Custody and Access Matters: Families, Dispute Resolution and the Family Court (N Taylor, M Gollop, P Tapp, A B Smith, M Henaghan)(2000-2004)This project looked at families' experience of and satisfaction with Family Court proceedings in custody and access matters, and the relevance for them of court proceedings over time. Discipline and Guidance of Children ( A B Smith, M Gollop, N Taylor, K Marshall)This is a critical literature review and synthesis of research evidence on family disciplinary practices. The role of attachment assessments in decision-making for children in care (Children's Issues Centre)The role of attachment assessments in decision-making in situations where there is disagreement about where a child should live. A national overview of practice and policy. Young Canadian's constructions of health and fitness (L Burrows) (2003-2006)How young Canadians understand fitness and health - a collaborative venture between New Zealand, Australia and Canada where similar projects are being carried out. Catchment contrasts: comparing young people's experiences and knowledge of a river environment (R Panelli, G Robertson) (2003-2004)A study of young people's experience and knowledge of a river in southern New Zealand looking at how age, gender and catchment location influence young people's understandings of their river environment. National Early Childhood Curricula in NZ, Norway and Sweden (J Duncan, M Alvestad)A study of the early childhood curriculum and how Early Childhood teachers use it for pedagogical planning and practice. Relocation After Parental Separation: The Welfare and Best Interests of Children (M Gollop, N Taylor & M Henaghan) (2007-2009)A research project concerning the welfare and best interests of children when their parents are in dispute about whether the primary caregiver parent should be allowed to relocate following parental separation or divorce. Disciplinary Practices in Family Settings (J Lawrence & A Smith) (2005-2008)Phase one investigated how professionals who work with families approach the task of guiding and advising families with young children on disciplinary practices. Phase two concerned how families/whanau guide their children to behave appropriately and the challenges they face. Two new projects have been initiated as part of the research cluster:Family DisciplineThis study will investigate positive and negative forms of discipline at home by surveying the views and observing the practices of professionals and of parents/whanau and children from Mäori, Pacific Island, and Pakeha groups about acceptable and effective ways to discipline children. Part of the study will include a quantitative survey with qualitative techniques which will elicit information about disciplinary encounters in the everyday context of family life. Children, Physical Activity and HealthUnprecedented adult concern about levels of childhood obesity has contributed to the production of educational and policy interventions focused on increasing children's participation in physical activity. This project seeks a qualitative understanding from the viewpoint of children themselves of how social relations and cultural meanings influence their opportunities and choices in relation to physical activity and health. Selected PublicationsBurrows, L. & Wright, J. (2004). The good life: New Zealand children’s perspectives of health and self. Sport, Education and Society, 9 (2), 193-205. Burrows, L. (2005). Do the ‘right’ thing: Chewing the fat in physical education. Journal of Physical Education New Zealand, 38 (1) 7-16. Duncan, J. (2007). New Zealand Free Kindergartens: Free or freely forgotten? Qualitative Studies in Education, 20 (3), 319-333. Duncan, J., Dalli, C., Becker, R., Butcher, M., Foster, K., Hayes, K., Lake-Ryan, S., Mackie, B., Montgomery, H., McCormack, P., Muller, R., Sherburd, R., Taita, J., and Walker , W., with: Bowden, C., Cain, K., Duncan, H., Lawrence, J., McCutcheon, K., Simenaur, R., and Tuhega, J. (2006). Under three-year-olds in kindergartens: Children’s experiences and teachers’ practices. Report for the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative. Available from http://www.tlri.org.nz/ Duncan, J., Dalli, C., & Lawrence, J. (2007). The changing face of kindergarten: A national picture of two year-olds within kindergartens. New Zealand Annual Review of Education, 16, 119-140. Foote, L. & Ellis F. (2006). Are collaborative relationships achievable? A consideration of strategies to enhance early childhood teachers’ ability to work in collaborative ways. Childrenz Issues, 10 (2), 43-46. Foote, L. Smith, J. & Ellis, F. (2004). The impact of teachers’ beliefs on the literacy experiences of young children: A New Zealand perspective. Early Years International Research Journal, 24 (2), 135-147. Gasson, R. (2005). A Minimum Age for Employment: The Right of Young People to be Heard. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 40 (3), 385-387.
Gasson, N. R., Linsell, C., Gasson, J., & Mundy-McPherson, S. (2003). Young People and Work (Research Report funded by Labour Market Policy Group, Dept. of Labour). Dunedin: Dunedin College of Education. Gauld, R. (2008). The Unintended Consequences of New Zealand’s Primary Health Care Reforms. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 33 (1). Gauld, R. (2007). New Zealand’s Health System: National Policy Goals and Decentralized Service Planning and Delivery. American Heart Hospital Journal, 5, 177-181. Gibbs A., & McKenzie, M. (2006). Supervised contact: The views of parents and staff. Families Commission, Wellington Blue Skies Report No 9/06. Gollop, M., & Taylor N. (2005). Supervised contact centres: The perspectives of children, parents and staff. Report to Ministry of Social Development. Dunedin: Children’s Issues Centre, University of Otago. Gollop, M. (2005). Factors which influence parental disciplinary practices and attitudes. In A. B. Smith, M. M. Gollop, N. J. Taylor & K. A. Marshall (Eds.), The discipline and guidance of children: Messages from research (pp. 17-52). Wellington: Children’s Issues Centre and Office of the Children’s Commissioner. Hannah, A., & Murachver, T. (2007). Gender preferential responses to speech. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 26, 274-290. Higgins, J. Nairn, K., Sligo, J (in press) Peer research with youth: negotiating (sub)cultural capital, place and participation in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Chapter in Connecting People, Place and Participation.
Higgins, N., MacArthur, J., & Reitveld, C. M. (2006). Higgledy-piggedly policy: Excluding inclusion. Childrenz Issues, 10 (1), 30-36. Higgins, N. (2005). Changing school culture through action research and leadership. Waikato Journal of Education, 2(5), 17-36 Higgins, J. & Nairn, K. (2006). ‘In transition’: choice and the children of New Zealand’s economic reforms. British Journal of Sociology in Education, 27 (2), 207-220. Keddell, E. (2007). Cultural Identity and the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989: Ideology, Policy and Practice. New Zealand Journal of Social Policy. Keddell, E. (2006). Pavlova and Pineapple Pie: Selected Identity Influences on Samoan/Pakeha People in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 1, 45-63. MacArthur, J. (2005). Tensions and conflicts; Experiences in parent and professional worlds. In L. Ware (Ed.) The Politics of Inclusion. Rochester NY: Margaret Warner Graduate School, University of Rochester. McKenzie, M. (2003). Family Therapy - A 70’s thing. Social Work Review, 15 (4), 30-34.
Mirfin-Veitch, B & Ballard, K. (2005). Says who? Supporting participation in disability research. In P. O’Brien and M. Sullivan (Eds.). Allies in emancipation: Shifting from providing service to being of support (pp. 189-198). Melbourne: Thomson Dunmore. Mirfin-Veitch, B., Bray, A., Stewart, C., Sharp, S., Cleland, G. Kelly, B. Siataga, P, Kirk, R. & Hogan, R. (2006). Evaluation of intersectoral disability needs assessment and service coordination trials (212 pages). Dunedin: Donald Beasley Institute. Nairn, K. & Higgins, J. (2007). New Zealand’s Neo-Liberal Generation: Tracing Discourses of Economic (Ir)Rationality. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 22 (3), 261-281. Powell, M. & Smith, A.B. (in press). Children’s participation rights in research, Childhood. A global journal of child research. Robertson, K., & Murachver, T. (2007). It takes two to tangle: Gender symmetry in intimate partner violence. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 29, 109-118. Sligo, J. (2003). Young People’s Participation in Local Government Initiatives: Rural and Urban Case Studies. Research Summary Report: Children’s Issues Centre, University of Otago. Smith, A.B. (in press). Children’s Rights and Early Childhood Education: Links to Theory and Advocacy. Australian Journal of Early Childhood.
Smith, J.K. & Smith, L.F. (in press). The structure of artistic and aesthetic abilities in schoolchildren. Empirical Studies of the Arts. Smith, L.F., & Montani, T.O. (in press). The effects of instructional consistency: Using manipulatives and teaching strategies to support resource room mathematics instruction. Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal. Taylor, N.J., Smith, A.B., & Gollop, M. (in press). New Zealand children and young people’s perspectives on citizenship. The International Journal of Children’s Rights. Taylor, N.J., Tapp, P., & Henaghan, R.M. (2007). Respecting children’s participation in family law proceedings. The International Journal of Children’s Rights, 15(1), 61-82.
Postgraduate ResearchRecently completed and current research by Masters and PhD students linked to the research cluster: PhD
Masters
EventsThe Research Cluster held a symposium on 31st October, 2008 entitled Researching Children's Experiences: Methodological and Ethical Issues. Click here for podcasts of the presentations.
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