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Newsletter: December 2025
Welcome to the Children and Young People's Wellbeing @ Exeter Research Network December newsletter, our last for 2025!
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
Read on to explore publications from network members, helpful resources, and ways to get involved through events, training and more.
We’d love to highlight your latest projects, publications, events, and opportunities—just send us an email cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the CYPW @Exeter Network team.
We hope you have a relaxing break and we will see you next year to share our exciting plans for 2026!
NEWS
CYPW Network Building Connections: External Partner Spotlight
October’s CYPW Network’s Building Connections event launched a Network initiative to grow links with external organisations and explore research partnerships. We will be continuing to share more about them and their work in our upcoming newsletters. Next up is Katia and Looking for Change:
SPOTLIGHT 2 Katia Marsh – Looking for Change CIC
Katia Marsh is the founder of Looking for Change CIC, who deliver interventions in schools for pupils with SEND. The organisation collaborates with groups and organisations to run photovoice projects and training, with a strong focus on children, young people and mental health. Katia presented her work using participatory photography in schools to build personal skills, confidence and agency which was developed in direct response to requests from schools. While participatory photography is widely recognised as a qualitative research method, Katia is keen to collaborate with researchers to amplify lived experience through visual data and explore how its dual uses in education and research can complement each other.
Visit www.lookingforchange.org or email info@lookingforchange.org for more information.
Please contact Katia or cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk with any ideas and keep us updated with any progress! To catch up with previous Spotlight’s visit our newsletter archive.
Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) Update
An interim evaluation report has been published on the PINS programme, a national pilot supporting neurodivergent pupils in mainstream primary schools. Covering 2024–2025, the evaluation explores how PINS has been implemented, early impacts on schools’ ability to support neurodivergent pupils, and its potential for wider rollout. Evidence was gathered from school staff, practitioners, parent carer representatives and pupils. Early findings highlight the value of closer collaboration between education, health professionals and parent carers, whole-school approaches to SEND, and workforce upskilling. PINS aims to create sustainable, inclusive environments that improve outcomes and help neurodivergent children thrive. Read the report here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partnerships-for-inclusion-of-neurodiversity-in-schools-pins-interim-evaluation-report
Exploring the Use of Digital Technologies for Children's Ocean Literacy
Research by the University of Exeter shows that digital technologies, including Extended Reality (XR), can play a powerful role in developing children’s ocean literacy. Led by Professor Lindsay Hetherington and colleagues, the study found immersive tools such as virtual and augmented reality help make the inaccessible ocean tangible for pupils, many of whom have never experienced it firsthand. The research highlights how confident teacher use of digital tools supports dialogue, collaboration and engagement with environmental issues. While some educators raised concerns about interaction, the study emphasises the potential of digital technology, when thoughtfully integrated, to enrich learning and deepen children’s connection to the ocean. Read the full article here https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13504622.2025.2512974
£15.5 Million Boost to Continue South West Health Research Partnership
PenARC, the Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula, has secured £15.5 million in new funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research to continue its work for a further five years. Hosted by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust with the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, PenARC delivers applied health research that improves NHS services and patient outcomes across the South West. The renewed investment will support patient-centred research, strengthen collaboration with communities and services, and help translate innovation into everyday practice locally, nationally and beyond. Read more here https://arc-swp.nihr.ac.uk/news/
Publication: Children in the Youth Justice System and Special Educational Needs
ADR UK Research Fellow Hope Kent has published a new article in The Conversation examining why children in the youth justice system are far more likely to have special educational needs and neuro-disabilities than their peers. Drawing on global evidence, she highlights the high prevalence of conditions such as brain injury, autism, ADHD and speech, language and communication impairments among children in custody—often many times higher than in the general population. Hope’s report underscores the urgent need for more appropriate support across youth justice services. Read the full article here https://theconversation.com/
Participants Wanted for Thinking Styles Study
A study is recruiting participants for dissertation research examining the thinking styles, mood and memory of adolescents aged 11-18 years old. Participants will be required to complete a short survey about their thinking style. If you have child, or a young relative that would be willing to complete this survey, please email for more information. Participants have the option of being entered into a draw to win one of six £10 Amazon vouchers.
TOPS-UK Study for Adolescents with Acquired Brain Injury Now Recruiting
The TOPS-UK (Tailored Online Problem Solving) implementation study for adolescents with acquired brain injury, led by Professor Anna Adam, has received philanthropic funding and ethical approval and is now open for recruitment. If you know a young person aged 13–19 yrs who has experienced an acquired brain injury, please share the study link: www.tops-uk.org, or contact the team at topsuk@exeter.ac.uk .
This research will soon expand to include 13–18 year olds in Mental Health Support Teams (including low-intensity practitioner training) as part of a larger NIHR Programme Grant application in collaboration with CEDAR, CEDAR CREATE, and the University of Exeter Clinical Trials Unit. Congratulations Anna!
Why is Type 1 Diabetes More Severe in Younger Children?
New research reveals why type 1 diabetes is often more aggressive in young children. A University of Exeter team found that the pancreas is still developing under the age of seven, leaving immature insulin-producing beta cells highly vulnerable to immune attack. Smaller, developing clusters of these cells are destroyed before they can mature, making the disease more severe.
The findings published in the journal Science Advances raise hope that new immunotherapy drugs, such as teplizumab, could delay disease onset by giving beta cells time to grow. With earlier screening and emerging treatments, experts say the outlook for young children with type 1 diabetes is improving.
CYPW Network Member Publication: ACEs and Long-Term Heart Health
We’re pleased to share that a paper by CYPW Network member Laura Macro and colleagues titled, “Associations between adverse childhood experiences and vascular indicators of atherosclerosis measured in childhood and early to mid-adulthood: A systematic review,” has been published in Social Science & Medicine.
The review synthesises current evidence on links between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subclinical atherosclerosis. Findings suggest ACEs are associated with poorer vascular health, but prospective evidence is limited, particularly around mediating and moderating factors. These gaps limit understanding of mechanisms connecting ACEs to cardiovascular risk.
Funded by the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership, you can read the full article here. Congratulations Laura and team!
Report on the Pandemic’s Impact on Young People’s Mental Health
Professor Tamsin Newlove-Delgado, Associate Professor in Child Public Mental Health at the University of Exeter and member of the CYPW Network, presented new evidence to the Government’s Covid Inquiry on the effects of the pandemic on children and young people’s mental health. The report, co-authored with Professor Cathy Creswell of Oxford University, highlights the pandemic’s wide-ranging impact on wellbeing and offers ten recommendations to protect young people in future crises. These include ensuring children’s voices are heard in policy decisions, prioritising school attendance, and investing in stronger mental health systems. The full report is available online, and the hearing can be viewed via the UK Covid-19 Inquiry YouTube channel.
Do Younger People Feel More Climate Anxiety? New Study to Find Out
A new study led by Professor Juliet Carlisle, a University of Exeter Fulbright Scholar, will examine whether millennials and younger generations feel more climate anxiety than older adults. The research will explore who young people blame for environmental change, how they cope, and whether group membership reduces anxiety while boosting political engagement. Professor Carlisle says understanding generational differences is vital as youth grow up with constant exposure to climate issues. The project will also assess whether hope can build resilience and inspire action. Findings aim to inform future climate policy and support strategies. Carlisle will interview local citizen groups in Exeter.
Heavy and painful periods linked to lower GCSE grades and attendance
A study, conducted by Exeter and Bristol Universities has found that heavy and painful periods in teenage girls are linked to lower GCSE grades and reduced school attendance. Using data from 2,698 participants in the Children of the 90s study, researchers found that heavy bleeding and menstrual pain were associated with missing up to nearly two extra school days per year and a lower likelihood of achieving five GCSE passes. Girls also reported challenges such as difficulty concentrating, stigma, and limited toilet access. Researchers say better education and support for menstrual health could help reduce inequalities in attainment. Full paper: npj Science of Learning.
Researchers, led by Professor Gemma Sharp have secured $4.5 million from Wellcome Leap as part of the $50 million Missed Vital Sign programme to continue their work addressing the widespread, overlooked problem around heavy menstrual bleeding.
Outdoor Play Linked to Children’s Social-Emotional Competency
A study of 2,568 children in Bradford highlights the importance of outdoor play for social-emotional development. Researchers found that increased outdoor play was associated with better social-emotional competency, while park visits showed inconsistent effects. Benefits varied by ethnicity, area deprivation, and weekday versus weekend play, reflecting cultural and contextual differences. Notably, 34% of children did not play outdoors on school days, and 20% avoided outdoor play on weekends. Providing safe, local, and culturally appropriate spaces for children to play could help improve mental health and social-emotional skills across diverse urban communities. Read the full article here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/
New CYPW Network Theme: Interested in Social or Green Prescribing?
Following feedback at the CYPW Network Symposium and via the members survey earlier this year, we are exploring a new research theme in this area. If you have an interest in or connections to research in this area, we’d love to hear from you.
Please get in touch with us at cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk to discuss further and keep an eye on future newsletters for updates.
We would love to share your news here- please let us know about your publications and awards!
EVENTS
Policy Engagement Training 2026
The Policy Engagement team are pleased to announce two new online training courses in early 2026, hosted by Methods Innovation. Open to all researchers, these sessions aim to enhance understanding and impact in policy engagement.
- Influencing Policy – Tuesday 27th January 9am–12pm
Explore strategies for creating policy impact, addressing ethical considerations, and amplifying new voices. - Rapid Evidence Synthesis – Tuesday 3rd February 9am–12pm
Learn practical approaches for working with policymakers and producing effective Rapid Evidence Assessments.
Both sessions are free for University of Exeter staff. Sign up via the links above to receive the Zoom links, or contact policyengagement@exeter.ac.uk with questions.
Nature, Health and Well-being CPD Course
You are invited to join this Nature, Health and Well-being CPD Course, a four-day online programme exploring the powerful connections between natural environments and human health. It’s taking place on 16th, 19th, 23rd and 26th March 2026 9:15–13:15 via Zoom. This evidence-based course examines how nature benefits physical and mental wellbeing, why it matters for policy, public health and sustainability, and how you can apply insights in practice. Led by national and international experts from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health. Book now—places are going fast. “Informative, thought-provoking and easy to follow,” delegates say. Perfect for practitioners, researchers and policymakers seeking practical evidence. For more information and to register visit the course webpage. The early-bird rate ends on 31st January 2026.
Can Minecraft Help Therapists Connect With Children and Families?
Discover how digital tools like videogames and digital sandtrays are transforming therapeutic work with children, young people, and families. This interactive online course explores how these tools can enhance engagement and outcomes in both face-to-face and online settings. Ideal for systemic practitioners, family therapists, and those working therapeutically with young people. Delivered by Ellie Finch, an expert in digital therapy with neurodivergent clients, this training offers fresh, practical insights. It’s taking place online on Thursday 12th March 2026
For more information and to register visit the event page above or email CREATEprojects-cedar@exeter.ac.uk
Researcher Development Training: Planning for Meaningful Public Engagement
Dr Dreolin Fleischer will lead an interactive workshop on public engagement with research for research-active staff, particularly Early Career Researchers and Postgraduate Researchers. Participants will explore why public engagement matters, the types of impacts it can achieve, how to identify and reach audiences, and the benefits for both researchers and the public.
Attendees will work through a planning worksheet using their own research idea, gaining practical skills in designing and evaluating engagement activities.
It’s taking place on Tuesday 24th March 2026 in Penryn and Tuesday 12th May 2026 online. Find out more and register via the colleague learning and development website.
Fetal & Neonatal Neurology Conference – April 2026
The inaugural Fetal & Neonatal Neurology Conference, jointly hosted by the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) and the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) will take place on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 at the Harris Birthright Centre, Denmark Hill, King’s College Hospital, London.
The event will bring together world-leading experts in perinatal neuroscience, showcasing state-of-the-art clinical practice across fetal and neonatal neurology, alongside presentations of original research.
For more information and to register visit the conference website https://courses.bpna.org.uk/
Wanna Play? Playposium 2026 in Exeter
Playposium 2026 returns as a British Summer Festival of play, creativity and experimentation, taking place from 22nd –25th June 2026 at the University of Exeter. Sponsored by the National Institute of Play, Professors at Play, the University of Exeter, Innoplay and Play Story Press, the event brings together a global community of scholars, practitioners and play-makers. Playposium invites bold ideas, playful provocations and shared exploration in a joyful, collaborative space. Find out more and register at www.playposium.com.
Special Offer: registrants are eligible for a 50% discount on the InnoPlay Studio professional development course 15th –19th June.
Your event would look great here. Just email the details to cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
OPPORTUNITIES
UKRI Launches Research Call to Support Earlier SEN Intervention
The UK government is funding research to help identify children with special educational needs (SEN) earlier, enabling timely support. Science Minister Lord Vallance announced the SEN Identification and Support Research and Innovation Challenge, coordinated by UKRI as part of the £500 million R&D Missions Accelerator Programme. The initiative will explore data-driven tools while ensuring safeguarding, ethics, and data protection. This marks the first government programme with clear, measurable R&D targets. SEND reform plans will be detailed in the upcoming Schools White Paper. Read more here https://www.ukri.org/news/
The CYPW Network have secured internal funding to support pre-application activities and are excited to approach this call as a network. Please contact us if you are interested in working with us cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
Vacancy Alert: Co-Editor-in-Chief – JORSEN
The Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs (JORSEN) is seeking a Co-Editor-in-Chief to join its international editorial leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for an established scholar with strong editorial experience and a passion for special and inclusive education to help shape a leading global research journal.
Working alongside Editor-in-Chief Prof. Verena Letzel-Alt and the editorial team, the successful candidate will contribute to journal strategy, peer review and development. An annual honorarium is provided. Apply by 31st December 2025.
Full details and application form are available via the Nasen website.
Research Assistant – CHOICES HiSP, University of Plymouth
The Collaborative Healthcare Outreach Interventions Choosing Excellence Students Healthcare Interventions Support Programme at the Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth helps transform early support for children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes. They are seeking a Research Assistant to start 1st April 2026 on a 12-month, multi-site study developing a hospital-initiated social prescribing intervention. Responsibilities include literature reviews, data collection, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination. Candidates should hold a health-related degree, have research experience, and strong skills in mixed-methods analysis. For more information and to apply visit the Plymouth University Job Site. The closing date for applications is Monday 5th January 2026.
Funded EPSRC PhD Opportunity: Climate-Resilient Playgrounds
This fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship is available from September 2026 at the University of Exeter, exploring the climate resilience of playgrounds. The project, Cool Play – Assessing and Improving the Climate Resilience of Playgrounds, is funded through the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award and based in the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences.
Supervised by Professor Helen Dodd (Medical School) and Dr Gesche Huebner (European Centre for Environment and Human Health), the PhD will examine playground microclimates, patterns of use, and nature-based design solutions to improve children’s safety and wellbeing in a warming climate. For more information and to apply visit the project webpage. The closing date for applications is Monday 12th January 2026 at 12:00.
Public Policy Exchange Webinar: Tackling Child Poverty
Public Policy Exchange will host a webinar, Tackling Child Poverty: Improving Welfare, Security and Future Prospects, on Tuesday 13th January 2026 09:30–13:00. The event brings together leading experts including Baroness Lister of Burtersett, Cllr Dine Romero, Rachel Walters (End Child Poverty Coalition), Ali Gourley (FareShare UK) and Priya Sahni-Nicholas (The Equality Trust).
The webinar will explore the drivers of child poverty in the UK, assess current policy responses, and consider practical strategies to support children in working households, minority communities and deep poverty.
Register via this form. Questions- contact trainings@publicpolicyexchange.co.uk
British Academy Conferences Scheme – Applications Open
Applications for the 2027–28 British Academy Conferences scheme are open until Thursday 29th January 2026 17:00. The scheme provides UK-based postdoctoral scholars and researchers with funding of up to £20,000 (£25,000 for British Academy/Wellcome conferences on health and wellbeing) to run one- to three-day conferences that showcase new research in the humanities and social sciences. Events can be held in the UK, online, or at British International Research Institutes abroad. Interdisciplinary proposals are welcome.
For guidance and to apply, visit the https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/ or contact conferences@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.
ECR Representative for St Luke’s Campus!
Want to help shape research culture at the University of Exeter? The Research & Impact Executive Committee (RIEC) are seeking an Early Career Researcher based at the St Luke’s campus to replace the outgoing ECR Representative, Becky Whear. This influential role ensures ECR voices are heard in University decision-making, while offering valuable experience in leadership, communication and policy influence. You’ll work alongside other ECR Reps, engage with the ECR community, and contribute to strategic discussions. Expressions of interest close on Friday 30th January 2026 at 17:00. To express interest, complete this form or email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.
GW4 Generator Fund – Now Open!
The GW4 Building Communities Generator Fund is now accepting applications for awards of up to £20,000 to support collaborative research and innovation communities across the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Now in its seventh year, the scheme supports both new and existing GW4 communities tackling major research or societal challenges. Early Career Researcher–led communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Funding may be used independently or alongside other sources and can help position teams for future external funding.
Applications close Monday 2nd February 2026. For guidance and to apply, visit the GW4 website or contact communities@gw4.ac.uk.
Thriving and Progressing in the Academic Mid-Career Training
Following a successful pilot last year at Exeter, applications are now open for a revised Thriving and Progressing in the Academic Mid-Career course. Led by Professor Amy Bonsall, this four-part online programme will run on 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th March 2026, 10.30am–12.30pm). It will provide space for early and mid career researchers to reflect on their careers to date, explore promotional pathways, and consider practical actions for internal promotion and future career steps.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 4th February 2026 at 12:00. Visit the Course Webpage for more information and apply via the MS Form (not ITrent).
Free Webinar: Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Care-Experienced Young People
CoramBAAF is hosting a free webinar on Thursday 26th February 16.00–17.30, sharing findings from the NIHR ReThink Project, one of the largest UK studies examining the mental health and wellbeing of care-experienced young people across key educational transitions.
Researchers will explore psychological, social and service-level drivers of wellbeing during early adolescence and the move to secondary school, highlighting what young people say helps—and what does not. The session will consider implications for education, social care and mental health professionals, and includes a panel discussion and Q&A.
Register here https://corambaaf.org.uk/events/ All registrants will receive a recording.
Volunteer with Haven: Help Create Children’s Storybooks!
Haven is a student-led social enterprise within the Enactus Exeter project. They are recruiting volunteers for 2025–26 to help create educational picture books for primary school children. Working with pupils through school workshops, the team co-designs storybooks on important topics. After producing a book on environmental change, Haven is
now developing a new story focused on mental health. Students from all degree backgrounds are welcome, and participation counts toward the Exeter Award. Roles include Storybook Writing, Psychology Research, Marketing, Finance, Logistics, Illustration and Project Assistance.
Interested in making a positive impact? Sign up here or contact Emma eka212@exeter.ac.uk.
New Course: Leading Educational Equity – From Principles to Practice
In a time of growing inequalities, school leaders are seeking practical ways to improve outcomes for pupils from under-resourced backgrounds. This new two-day, in-person course in Autumn 2026, Leading Educational Equity: From Principles to Practice, is led by the UK’s first Professor of Social Mobility, Lee Elliot-Major OBE, alongside Anne-Marie Sim and Beth Brooks, co-authors of the Equity Scorecard.
Designed for school leaders ready to move from equity intent to implementation, the course combines research-informed insight, real-world case studies and practical planning. Participants will develop an actionable Equity Leadership Plan tailored to their own context.
Find out more and
register your interest here https://www.exeter.ac.uk/faculties/hass/education/cpd/equity-leadership/.
Researcher Led-Initiative Awards – Apply Now
The Researcher Development and Research Culture (RD&RC) team offers annual funding to support postgraduate researchers and early career research staff. The Researcher Led-Initiative Awards support applicants in designing and delivering innovative professional development activities for peers, building skills and experience for career progression. Awards of up to £2,000 are available for projects, events, and initiatives—whether in-person, hybrid, or online—that have lasting impact. Applications are invited from early career researchers and other research staff, including lecturers, experimental officers, and research software engineers. For more information and to apply visit the Doctoral College Website.
Funding Opportunity: ADR UK Research Fellowships 2025
Applications are now open for the Administrative Data Research (ADR) UK Research Fellowships, offering researchers the chance to work with ADR England flagship datasets. Applicants eligible for ESRC funding are invited to propose projects that demonstrate strong potential for policy impact. Fellowships run for 18 months, with projects beginning in September 2026. Each project may request up to £200,000 (full economic cost), with ESRC covering up to 80% and the remainder funded by the host institution.
The application deadline is 26th February 2026 at 16:00. For full details visit
https://www.adruk.org/
Case Study: ADR UK Fellowship Impact - Neurodisability and the Criminal Justice System
Exeter's ADR UK Research Fellow Hope Kent is working on a project using the ECHILD data linkage of hospital and education data, tracking outcomes for children with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in school (e.g. school exclusion, absences, and serious mental health difficulties). For insights into her role read this blog on the ADR Website and there is more information here on her project. Hope is happy to answer questions about these fellowships or datasets. Please contact her- h.kent@exeter.ac.uk
NIHR Public Health Research: Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls – Funding Opportunity
The NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme invites applications to evaluate community interventions supporting female survivors of domestic abuse and mitigating physical and mental health impacts. This two-stage funding call closes for outline applications on Tuesday 21st April 2026 at 13:00. Awards will support research that addresses health inequalities, targets underserved populations, and assesses scalable, effective interventions. Studies may include multi-agency, community, early intervention, workplace, or digital initiatives, with robust evaluation of health outcomes and economic value. For guidance and applications visit the NIHR website.
Register Your Interest: MHR Incubator Programmes 2026
Sign up now to be notified when applications open for the 2026 Mental Health Research (MHR) Incubator programmes. Opportunities include GROW 2026, supporting early career researchers through a residential, coaching, and skills workshops; PeCo 2026, developing coaching skills for emerging research leaders; the Fellowship Application/Grant Writing Retreat, offering focused time, expert feedback, and senior academic input; and the Paper Writing Retreat, designed to help you progress and publish your next manuscript.
Visit the MHR Website to express your interest and be first to hear when applications go live.
Do you have Opportunities for Internships and Projects?
The Network are often approached by PhD students and others seeking relevant internships or project opportunities. If you have any opportunities available—either short-term, research-based, or practical—we’d love to hear from you. We can share them directly with students or add them to our newsletter. If you're able to offer any opportunities, please contact us at cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.
Let the world know you're a member of the CYP Wellbeing @ Exeter Research Network: Label your Profile
As a member of the CYP Wellbeing Network you can update your university profile to add a ‘label’ which shows that you are a member. Adding this label will provide you with increased visibility (internally and externally) as an Exeter Research Network member, as it will enable your profile to be shared on the network’s online membership lists and search tools.
Adding a network label is quick and easy and there are instructions here. Please note that this label is not linked to your communications preferences for the network, and will not be removed if you unsubscribe from mailing lists.
Showcase Network Support: Tag CYPW Network in WorkTribe
If your project benefits from your membership of this network, for example through funding, advice, collaboration, or engagement, tagging Exeter Research Networks in Worktribe highlights the network's value, leading to more support and growth, ensures recognition and further strengthens the network's capacity to assist its members.
This is very simple to do and will enable us to track the bids and projects which may arise directly or indirectly as a result of network membership. Very brief guidance is available here. Thank you.
RESOURCES
Engaging Young Adults with Mental Health Challenges: A Clinician’s Guide
New guide has been developed to help adult mental health clinicians better engage young adults aged 18–25yrs who are newly accessing services or transitioning from child and adolescent mental health services. Co-developed with young people with lived experience, the guide highlights practical strategies to improve engagement at a critical stage, when many first-episode mental health conditions emerge but service use is often low. The manual aims to offer a clear overview of key approaches and resources. It is designed to support reflection, supervision and discussion across teams and agencies. Read the full manual here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/young-adults-mental-health-clinicians-guide#page/1
Early Life Cohort Feasibility Study
Between April 2021 and December 2024, the Early Life Cohort Feasibility Study explored how best to sample and recruit families for a future UK-wide birth cohort. Led by the University College London (UCL) Centre for Longitudinal Studies and delivered by Ipsos, the study gathered rich data on babies’ early environments, health and development. A new data release from the Age 9–10 Months Sweep is now available through the UK Data Service. Briefing papers outlining findings from both the survey component and small-scale field tests highlight key lessons that will inform planning for a full national birth cohort study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Find out more about the new data from the UCL website.
Furthering Community Connections Across the Region
Two University of Exeter initiatives are strengthening external engagement across the region. Civic University Agreements (CUAs) are formal partnerships between the University and local anchor institutions that support regional priorities in health, wellbeing, and education. Exeter now has CUAs with Exeter, Cornwall, and Devon & Torbay, working with partners including Exeter City Council, Exeter College and the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. These agreements focus on co-designed action plans to address shared societal challenges.
The Community Partnership Hub connects researchers and students with community, public, and voluntary organisations through collaborative research, placements, volunteering and community-engaged learning. Visit the website for details and case studies or contact Lindsey Anderson (Regional Engagement
manager)
Free Resources to Support Children’s Mental Health
Free resources on children’s mental health are available on the Emerging Minds website. Designed for parents, carers, educators, and health professionals, these materials are based on scientific research, lived experience, and expert insight.
The resources explore key questions: What does children’s mental health look like? What influences it? How can we support children during tough times?
Covering topics from age-appropriate behaviour to nurturing emotional wellbeing, this toolkit helps adults better understand and respond to children's needs—laying a strong foundation for lifelong mental health.
Introducing IN-Hub: Free Neurodiversity Resources for Schools
The University of Exeter is proud to launch IN-Hub, a free, evidence-informed database designed to support school staff working with neurodivergent children. With around 17% of pupils in mainstream schools having SEND, IN-Hub provides accessible, rated resources to help improve inclusion and educational outcomes.
Resources include lesson plans, classroom strategies, activities, and training materials—each appraised by researchers, educators, and families. IN-Hub aims to close the gap in support and empower teachers with practical, trustworthy tools.
Explore the hub, share with colleagues, and help shape a more inclusive education system for all learners.
Engaged Research for Health: Tools and Principles
Tools for Engaged Research offers practical resources for involving patients and the public (PPIE) at every stage of the research lifecycle—from conception to sustainability. Many organisations have developed guiding principles for engaged research. While approaches vary, shared themes include trust, two-way communication, power-sharing, flexibility, inclusive ethics, and accountability. Key frameworks include NIHR’s Guiding Principles, UKRI’s Co-production Principles, and PCORI’s Partnership Expectations. The resource also outlines engagement strategies across all research stages: design, data collection, dissemination, and evaluation. Produced by Wellcome and Equitable Health Futures, the full toolkit is available here.
Planning for Meaningful Public Engagement SharePoint Resources
A new SharePoint page planning for meaningful public engagement, is now available to support researchers in shaping impactful public engagement. The page walks you through 10 key questions to help you clarify your aims, identify audiences and partners, and plan activities with purpose. Public engagement is a two-way process that enhances research by incorporating public insights while offering communities meaningful benefits. The page explores motivations, potential impacts, routes to reach participants, and how engagement connects to wider societal issues. It also highlights practical tools, including logic models and evaluation approaches, to strengthen your engagement ideas.
Discover the UPGRADED Exeter Innovation Ideas Hub
The Exeter Innovation Ideas Hub is a dedicated SharePoint site designed to support academics at any career stage with Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Business Engagement (BE). Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen existing partnerships, the Hub offers guidance on applying your
research beyond academia and working effectively with businesses, government bodies, charities, and NGOs.
Explore the Business Engagement Toolkit and access a wide range of Training, events and resources to support your KE journey. Visit the Ideas Hub to find out more and start building impactful external collaborations. Or Gemma Mendham is our CYPW Network EI link and is happy to answer questions.
Funding for Impact, Grant Applications and Beyond
Funding for Impact: Grant Applications and Beyond, is an Impact Essentials training resource from the Impact@Exeter team.
This 70-minute training, delivered in bite-sized sections, explores the impact funding landscape, strategies for securing funds, and tips for writing compelling, impact-focused proposals. It also dispels common funding myths and highlights how to include evaluation and evidence activities.
Perfect for all career stages, this flexible resource is designed for self-paced learning. Access the training and resources here on the Impact@Exeter area of the RIME SharePoint site.
Guidance on Research Dissemination Available on RIME
Practical resources are now available on RIME to support effective research dissemination. The guidance offers tutorials, tips, and tools to help you plan strategies that ensure your work reaches the right audiences. Content includes a pre-publication checklist, advice on using academic networks, social media, and engagement events, plus guidance on creating impactful materials such as infographics. It also highlights approaches for engaging policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders.
Effective dissemination boosts research visibility, strengthens academic profiles, supports funding bids, and builds collaborations. Access the resource here: Research Dissemination on RIME.
Explore PIVOT-RP: get personalised alerts for research funding opportunities
Research funding opportunities can be found on Pivot-RP. As part of ongoing work to develop university-wide support two curated Pivot-RP searches have been set up for fellowship applicants and active fellows that can be readily accessed and tailored to individual's needs. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the RIME Sharepoint site.
As part of adopting Pivot-RP the implementation team want to understand how colleagues are using the database and usefulness of it for their research work.
Discover Exeter-facing Funding Opportunities with Funding Finder
Funding opportunities can also be found using the Funding Finder platform developed by Andy Cunliffe at the University of Exeter, which signposts hundreds of funding opportunities for research, fieldwork, conferences, and exchanges, relevant to individuals at all levels from undergraduates to senior academics. With thousands of easily searchable listings of awards from £100 to £10 million, it's designed to support global collaboration and research engagement. Please use it and share it with your networks. Over 4,600 users from 99 countries have used the tool and more awards are being added frequently.
University of Exeter Internal Selection for External Funding Opportunities
The Research Development Team have created a new resource to streamline internal selection for external funding opportunities requiring institutional approval before submission. This process ensures strategic oversight and compliance where funders restrict the number of applications per institution.
The SharePoint Site groups opportunities under five categories: Fellowships, Prizes, Grant Funding, Capital Equipment Funding, and Doctoral Training and includes all key internal and external deadlines.
For guidance, queries or to feedback please contact internalsifts@exeter.ac.uk
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