New Book Explores Children’s Rights in Research

A member of the St John the Baptist Cathedral community and volunteer, Dr Virginia Minogue, has recently published a book about the ethical involvement of children and young people in decisions and research that impact their lives and wellbeing. The book is called The Ethics and Ethical Implications of Involving Children and Young People as Partners in Research Related to their Care, Welfare and Wellbeing.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child specifically advocates for children and young people to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment, including research.

Participatory research in health and social care has increased exponentially over the last two decades with the recognition of the need to include children and young people as partners. Although their voices have been represented through the involvement of parents and carers, social workers and other advocates, it is crucial to hear directly from children and young people themselves so that their views can influence the planning, design, development and implementation of research.

In involving children and young people, researchers have to ensure that their rights and safety are protected at all times and that their welfare is properly considered. The book explores the challenges and tensions in conducting ethical research with children and young people as partners and examines specific issues such as respect, diversity and inclusion, power relationships, participatory research, the value of lived experience and the impact of artificial intelligence. It also explores a network approach to building capacity with children and young people.

What makes the book unique is that a number of the chapters have been written collaboratively with children and young people, and those with lived experience, to reflect that important perspective.

The book proposes a rights-based approach to building effective and ethical partnerships with children and young people and adds to the literature relating to the inclusion of children and young people in research as partners in the planning, design, development and implementation of research, particularly in social care.

Dr Minogue moved to Norfolk in 2023, having previously lived in Yorkshire, Ireland and Lincolnshire. She is Chair of a Research Ethics Committee for a children and family agency and is passionate about reflecting the lived experience of children and young people. She had a long career in research management in the NHS, with a specific interest in involving patients and communities in research.

More information on the book can be found here.

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