A Youth-Led Research Project
Race, racism and education: A study of racial identity formation and its impact on the educational experiences of adolescents of African heritage in the North of England
Race, Racism & Education is a youth-led, co-produced research project exploring how young people of African heritage in the North of England understand their racial identity and how this shapes their experiences in school.
Led by Afrikindness as the VCSE partner, this project is delivered in collaboration with York St John University and Liverpool Hope University. At its heart, the project centres young people’s voices, lived experiences, and expertise.
What is the project about?
The project seeks to understand how race and racial identity are formed, experienced, and negotiated by adolescents of African heritage, and how these experiences impact their education, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.
We are exploring:
- How young people understand and describe their racial identity
- The role of home, family, and culture in shaping identity
- How race and racism influence school experiences, relationships, and learning
- Feelings of belonging, representation, and inclusion in education spaces
Why this research matters
Many young people of African heritage experience racism, stereotyping, exclusion, or a lack of representation within schools and wider society. These experiences can affect:
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Engagement with learning and school life
- Aspirations and sense of belonging
By listening directly to young people, this research aims to:
- Highlight both challenges and strengths within their lived experiences
- Inform culturally responsive and inclusive practice
- Strengthen Afrikindness’ programmes and community work
- Develop evidence-based recommendations for schools, educators, and policymakers
What makes this project different?
This is not research done on young people – it is research done by them and with them.
Young people are actively involved in shaping the research questions, discussions, and insights. Using a participatory and co-production approach, their voices are central to how knowledge is created and shared.
This approach ensures the research is:
- Ethical and empowering
- Grounded in lived experience
- Relevant to real school and community contexts
- Focused on change, not just data
Meet Our Research Ambassadors
Our Research Ambassadors are young people of African heritage who are leading this project from the ground up. They play a central role in shaping the research, supporting peer engagement, and ensuring that young people’s voices, experiences, and perspectives remain at the heart of the work. They lead and coordinate peer-to-peer interviews, enabling young people to share their experiences in their own voices.
As youth leaders within the project, Research Ambassadors help guide discussions, co-create ideas, and champion change by translating lived experience into insight that informs schools, communities, and policy.
Temi Owolabi
Ruoeda Alamo
Partners
VCSE Lead Partner
Academic Partners
York St John University Researchers
- Dr Margaret Wood
- Dr Spence Swain
Want to get involved?
If you are a young person, parent, school, or community organisation interested in taking part or learning more about Afrikindness Youth-led projects, please contact us at ceo@afrikindness.org
