Kickstarting careers
Young people and social research
Partnering with Youth Futures Foundation and the Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Young Foundation employed 22 young people through the Kickstart Scheme to be trained as peer researchers. This programme delivered high-quality six-month job placements for young people, targeting 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit and deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment
About the schemeInsights and reflections
‘I know first-hand that immigrants can feel alienated in their own home’
Kickstart peer researcher Christina Riddle shares thoughts on – and research into – the experiences of immigrants in the UK.
Report shares recommendations from our Kickstart experience
As our final cohort of young researchers finish their placement, we shares key learnings and reflections
Kickstarting careers in research
This report shares learnings from The Young Foundation’s participation in the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart Scheme.
‘Greater diversity among councillors matters. Here’s why.’
Victoria Boelman asks what we can all do to increase the diversity of people putting themselves forward for local elections.
‘More must be done to confront online racism’
Research led and directed by peer researchers on the Kickstart scheme explores the role social media plays in amplifying discrimination, hate and abuse.
‘Putting young people in the driving seat of research can steer better youth support’
Helen Goulden shares a new report, and celebrates greater participation of young people in the research sector.
‘We need to address how we educate young people about money’
We offer a platform to our Kickstart team, who have been employed by The Young Foundation to develop peer research skills. Here, they explore financial literacy.
‘Fat people face discrimination that affects them for the rest of their lives’
New research from Kickstart peer research trainees uncovers prejudice and discrimination and explores its impact.
‘If the research sector is to truly reflect our diverse communities, we need new forms of partnerships’
Tom Saunders and Emily Morrison stress the need for more equitable and sustainable models of community engagement in research
Remote working can reach a broader range of people. Let’s enable that.
Despite headlines and warnings, is virtual working all that bad? Helen Goulden counts the benefits, both for young people, and for organisations.
‘Let’s do more to support young people moving from education to employment’
What did National Living Wage Week deliver for those aged under 23? Chelsea McDonagh calls for greater support, and more diversity in the research sector.
‘I never thought a research career was for someone like me’
Elly McDade had big dreams and bags of ambition, but struggled at school and found herself on Universal Credit – until finding the Kickstart peer researcher programme.
Job interviews disadvantage those on the autism spectrum. Here’s how.
Interviews are a standard process in recruitment – but are they a fair way of assessing potential candidates?
The shift to remote working opened the door to my career in research
Studying Sociology at university opened my eyes to the world of social research and gave me a glimpse into how we can ethically use research to make a positive change. All of a sudden, I saw a career in the distance that I hadn’t even known existed.
Turning a critical gaze on the research profession
Today, in partnership with the Social Research Association (SRA), we are publishing the largest scale study to date of equality and diversity in the social research profession.
A broader perspective: read our Kickstarters' research projects
Immigration Kickstart report
This report explores the experiences of first and second generation immigrant British populations, and has been developed and devised by a group of young Kickstart peer research recruits.
Fatphobia Kickstart report
A report exploring young people’s experiences of fatphobia, developed and devised by a group of young Kickstart peer research recruits.
Kickstart reports – sprint three
This report explores young people’s experiences of racism on social media, developed and devised by a group of young Kickstart peer research recruits.
Kickstart reports – sprint two
A report designed and created by young people on the Kickstart scheme, exploring experiences of financial literacy.
Kickstart reports – sprint one
Reports designed and created by young people on the Kickstart scheme, exploring experiences of employment among LGBTQ+ young people, and those with ADHD.