2nd International Children and Youth Perspectives Conference – Recap
We hosted the 2nd International Children and Youth Perspectives Conference on 18 and 19 September 2025.
The theme of this year’s iteration of the biennial conference was held under the theme What Persists?, asking what remains in children and youth’s lived experiences, in childhood and youth studies, and in research and practice with children and youth, that has yet to be brought to the fore.
The unique gathering brought together scholars and practitioners from 20 countries across disciplines such as literacy, education, social work, and law. Across panels and informal conversations, delegates shared a common commitment to recognising children as autonomous experiencers, thinkers, and beings whose voices and perspectives deserve to be heard.
The programme, available for download on the conference website alongside all abstracts, included not only research panels and poster sessions but also various workshops and interactive events. Participants were further invited to join a topical interactive theatre performance by Theatre Feste, adding a creative and embodied dimension to the discussions.
The conference featured three remarkable keynotes: Macarena García-González (Pompeu Fabra University, Spain) on the inherent injustice in being a child, Sarah McGeown (University of Edinburgh, UK) on openness to different epistemologies in research, and John Potter (University College London, UK), who showcased co-creative projects where, among others, children envisioned the possible human faces of AI.
We warmly thank our support team and all participants for making this event such an inspiring and collegial exchange.
