Unlock approaches for engaging children and young people in data‑driven research.
Join us for the first webinar of our 2026 series, Navigating good practice public engagement in data research and statistics.
The aim of this webinar series is for attendees to gain the knowledge and confidence to do good public involvement and engagement (PIE) in data research and statistics, aligned with PEDRI’s Good Practice Standards.
Our 2026 series spotlights how we can go beyond the numbers to effectively involve the public, starting with an essential focus on engaging children and young people in data research.
Empowering Young Voices
How can we effectively engage and involve children and young people (CYP) in data research and statistics?
Join us for this practical, insight‑rich webinar designed to help researchers and public engagement professionals engage young people in ways that are ethical, inclusive and empowering.
This session will showcase approaches to involving CYP in data research and explore what effective involvement looks like, drawing on real examples. Through real examples and practical case studies, we will cover consent processes, trust building, and how to support young voices meaningfully in research.
Speakers will present on:
Young Voices in Cancer Data Research: Scoping the Need for a Digital Platform: Maham Zaman will share insights from Young Voices in Cancer Data Research, a project exploring the need for a national digital platform to support public involvement and engagement in cancer data research for children and young people (aged 11–25) with lived experience of cancer. Drawing on consultations with young people, families, researchers and charities, she will highlight key challenges—including ethical considerations, trust-building, and participant recruitment—and explore how digital infrastructure could support meaningful, safe, and inclusive engagement in data-driven research.
Minecraft and Infectious Diseases: What if young people could investigate a virus outbreak and explore the ethics of public health decision making all within the virtual world of Minecraft? A project team, including Maria Fanourgiaki, Kate Duggan and Richard Fitzpatrick, used the popular video game to bring pandemic preparedness and health data to life through hands-on workshops, combining gameplay, crocheted virus models, and conversations with scientists. Delivered in schools, festivals and community events across Scotland, the project engaged more than 1000 people. In this talk, speakers will share how the project was designed and delivered, what worked and what didn’t, and how it helped with build lasting partnerships and new opportunities to engage young people with health data.
Whether you are new to engaging young people in data research or looking to strengthen your existing approaches, this webinar will offer practical insights you can apply immediately in your work.
This session is part of a series of webinars exploring how you can use the PEDRI Good Practice Standards for public engagement in data research and statistics.
Speakers
Maham Zaman, Research Officer, PEDRI
Maria Fanourgiaki, Public Engagement Officer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Kate Duggan, PhD Candidate, Rambault Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Dr Richard Fitzpatrick, Academic-Track Lecturer (Zhejiang), Edinburgh Medical School (BMTO), University of Edinburgh
Chaired by: Matt Howard-Murray, Public Involvement Lead, Cancer Research UK
