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Newsletter: June 2025
Welcome to the Children and Young People's Wellbeing @ Exeter Research Network newsletter
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
Read on to find out more about: the next steps from our Symposium, including the funded writing retreats. As well as all the usual events, opportunities and resources.
We'd love to share your latest projects, publications, events and opportunities. Please email cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
Spotlight on our CYP Wellbeing @Exeter Annual Symposium
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Reed Hall on 23rd June. Over 60 participants took part in a day of inspiring research presentations, updates from Research Services and Exeter Innovation, and collaborative discussions.
Special thanks to our oral and poster presenters—materials are available to download from the Symposium events page here
The afternoon's theme-led discussions highlighted several key priorities, summarised below. We encourage you to get involved by contacting the named Leads or emailing us at cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
Theme 1: Meaningful involvement of children and young people in research- Leads: Hollie Gay & Kate Townsend
- We discussed ethical and inclusive engagement with children in research, including:
- Children’s rights, consent, and voice-led research
- Challenges of co-production and authentic inclusion
- Ensuring the meaning and validity of children’s consent
Goals for coming year:
- Draft key questions for university ethics teams
- Launch a monthly interdisciplinary reading group
Theme 2: Bio-psycho-social-cultural Mechanisms of Mental Health- Lead Angeliki Kallitsoglou
Focus areas included:
- Early identification of eating disorders in primary care
- Cultural and neurodiversity factors
- Integrating biomarkers, epigenetics, and psychosocial data
- Caregiving, maternal mental health, and outcomes for children with SEND
Ongoing Projects:
- Adolescent Health Study (AHS)
- Primary care screening for eating disorders
- Early education and SEND
- Youth mental health pathways
Next Steps: Create a shared repository of datasets, resources, and expertise
Theme 3: Mental Health and Education- Leads: Silvana Mareva and Darren Moore
Topics included:
- Relational practice, school belonging, and attendance
- School–community links for wellbeing
- Redefining key concepts and data use
- SEN and socio-emotional learning (global perspectives)
- Technology/social media impacts on mental health
- Intervention outcomes, including EAL students
Theme 4: Adverse Childhood Experiences- Lead Thomas El-Hoss
Areas of focus:
- Developing mixed-methods research projects and skill-sharing across methodologies.
- Underused public datasets and collaboration with local authorities.
- Plan a collaborative event with local authorities to align priorities, explore data use, and develop interdisciplinary research, with further planning at the upcoming writing retreat.
Come and help us continue these conversations at our
upcoming writing retreats at Reed Hall on 7th and 9th July, see the Events section below—thank you again for your support!
NEWS
Connecting Research with Regional Impact
Lindsey Anderson, Regional Engagement Manager at Exeter Innovation, leads on the Exeter and Devon County Civic University Agreements. She is a key contact for researchers seeking to engage with regional public and voluntary sector partners, including local authorities, NHS organisations, charities, and the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Education Alliance. To find out more please get in touch. Lindsey has agreed to support the network in building research partnerships with key stakeholders. Please email cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk if you would like to hear more.
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.
New Publication: School-Based Mental Health Support for Migrant Youth – A Scoping Review
A new open-access article in the Journal of School Psychology by Katie Howard, Darren Moore, Eleni Dimitrellou and Lenka Janik Blaskova maps existing research on school-based mental health (SBMH) interventions for migrant children and young people. The review identifies a significant gap in culturally and contextually appropriate SBMH support, despite growing need. Barriers to access include stigma, systemic obstacles, and limited school-family partnerships. The authors call for an intersectional, social-determinants approach to better support migrant youth’s mental health in educational settings. Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2024.101393
Animations Reveal Impact of School Discipline on Pupils’ Mental Health
Two animations from Applied Research Council (ARC) West project highlight how school discipline affects mental health in English secondary schools. Based on interviews conducted by the Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG), the animations feature real pupil voices and stories.
The first video, A Day in the Life, shows how both punished and compliant pupils struggle emotionally. The second, Isolation, shares a student’s frustration with repeated punishments.
“These animations bring the issues to life,” said lead researcher Dr Sarah Bell. Watch the videos and learn more about the project on the ARC West website.
Special Issue: Bodily Integrity and Autonomy in Paediatric Populations
Congratulations to CYPW Network member Kate Goldie Townsend, on the publication of her co-edited paper in Clinical Ethics (Special Issue: Bodily Integrity and Autonomy in Paediatric Populations).
The paper explores how children’s bodily integrity rights are treated differently from adults due to assumptions about their autonomy. It examines how philosophical, medical, and legal frameworks address this issue and its implications. Read in full via the Sage Journals website.
Hannah Sherbersky and Mark Rivett Contribute to Landmark Psychiatry Text
Congratulations to Hannah Sherbersky and Mark Rivett, who have co-authored the Systemic Family Therapy chapter in the newly released 7th Edition of Rutter’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, alongside U.S.-based family therapist and researcher Rick Miller.
This globally renowned textbook offers an authoritative and up-to-date overview of the field, including new content on digital interventions, global crises, and diversity. Each chapter is supported by video summaries and teaching materials.
Their contribution highlights the importance of relational, family-based approaches in child and adolescent mental health. Find out more: Rutter’s 7th Edition.
Exeter Academic Named Salzburg Global Fellow to Tackle Youth Violence
Professor Huw Williams from the University of Exeter has been appointed a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Academy, joining an global mission to reduce violence against children and young people. Working alongside colleagues Professor Stan Gilmour and Dr. Hope Kent, Professor Williams advocates for a public health
approach to address the root causes of youth involvement in the criminal justice system. Their work highlights how trauma, poverty, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often intersect to perpetuate cycles of disadvantage and incarceration.
Read more: Breaking the Cycle: Trauma, Poverty, Brain Injury, and the Criminal Justice System.
We would love to share your news here- please let us know about your publications and awards!
EVENTS
CYPW Network Writing Retreats – Opportunities to Work on Your Grants & Bids- a few spaces remaining!
We’re excited to offer dedicated writing retreats on Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th July at Reed Hall, providing a welcoming space with refreshments provided, to support your grant and bid writing. This is a great opportunity to build on collaborative ideas and can be used for writing, or if you’re not ready to start yet, for earlier discussions about next steps. The space will be available all day and can accommodate groups of various sizes for all, or part of the day.
Please sign up here to express your interest. Priority will be given to developing collaborations discussed at the Symposium.
2025 Festival of Public Health
The Festival of Public Health, hosted by the Medical School, returns to Exeter this summer. Taking place from Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July across the St Luke’s and Penryn campuses, the festival will include a diverse and engaging series of events, activities, and opportunities to explore public health. The week-long event includes Keynote Speaker Sir Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, (2016-2025) on Monday 30th June, 17:15 - 18:15 and the SPHERE Public Health Conference on Tuesday 1st July. The festival includes opportunities to gain insights into the latest research, explore career opportunities and engaging with the community and more. Visit the festival website for more information.
Inaugural Lecture: Professor Vashti Berry
Wednesday 9th July, 17:15–18:15, in Room G18, EMS Building, St Luke’s Campus and online
Professor Vashti Berry is a leader in Public Health and Sport Sciences and a key member of the CYPW Network leadership team! In her inaugural lecture she will offer a personal and professional reflection on her career dedicated to prevention and early intervention for children and families. Drawing on a portfolio of trials and studies evaluating child- and family-focused interventions, she will explore the field’s emphasis on risk mitigation and make the case for rebalancing toward a stronger public health and wellbeing agenda.
A drinks reception will follow in the EMS foyer. All are welcome—please register here to attend or contact HLS-events@exeter.ac.uk with any questions.
Remix and Recombine: Exploring Research Through Collage
Wednesday 9th July, 1:30–4:30pm, at St Luke’s
Join Dr Caitlin
Kight for a hands-on workshop exploring collage as a creative research method. Collage brings together diverse elements into a unified whole—an approach that resonates deeply with the research process. Participants will experiment with collage individually and in groups, using the technique to reflect on their own work while discovering unexpected connections across disciplines. The session aims to spark fresh questions, perspectives, and collaborations. Dr Kight, co-lead of the Creative Toolkit project, brings her expertise in creativity, social justice, and care ethics to this engaging and imaginative event. The event is now full but please sign up to join the waiting list.
Workshop: Immersive VR in Human Cognition, Perception & Action
Tuesday 8th September, 09:30–16:30 in the Henderson Lecture Theatre, Xfi Building, University of Exeter
Join the Exeter Immersive Research Network for a free, day-long workshop exploring how immersive virtual reality (VR) is reshaping experimental psychology.
Discover cutting-edge research on cognition, perception, and performance using VR. Highlights include keynote talks from Professor Dorothy Cowie and Professor Michael Proulx, plus oral and poster presentations from multidisciplinary researchers.
Sponsored by the Experimental Psychology Society. Lunch and refreshments provided.
Register via EventBrite and submit abstracts by 22nd July. Organiser: Dr Gavin Buckingham
OPPORTUNITIES
Do you have Opportunities for Internships and Projects?
We 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.
Showcase Network Support: Tag CYPW Network in WorkTribe
Tagging the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Research Network in your projects on WorkTribe highlights the value of the Network, supports its growth and capacity to provide more support to members. If the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Research Network has contributed to your project, you or your team as members can tag it to showcase that support.
Examples include receiving seed funding, discovering funding opportunities via network communications, forming collaborations through the network, or using the network for engagement activities. Recognising network contributions not only strengthens your project but also enhances the visibility and impact of the networks themselves. Tagging Networks is very simple to do and will enable them 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.
Apply Now: International Interdisciplinary Research Projects 2026
The British Academy invites applications for its 2026 International Interdisciplinary Research Projects programme, supporting collaborations led by UK-based humanities and social sciences researchers with international partners. Projects must address one or more transnational and planetary challenges: climate governance, digital tech, global health, or space governance.
Awards of up to £300,000 over two years are available. Projects must begin in March/April 2026. Applications close on 17th September 2025. Apply now and find more details here.
For queries, contact: internationalchallenges@thebritishacademy.ac.uk
2025 UKRI Policy Fellowships
The UKRI 2025 Policy Fellowship scheme is open. There are 42 fellowships available across 23 government departments and six What Works centres - they're a great opportunity to work within a government department, co-designing research to inform policy change and address pressing national and global challenges. Policy@Exeter are offering support and pre-award costings guidance for applicants. Please contact policyengagement@exeter.ac.uk if you intend to apply. All applicants must discuss their plans with their DORI, who will be required to confirm departmental support. The closing date for applications is 15th July.
Here are some we think may be of particular interest to CYPW Network members:
- Opportunity Mission (child development)
- Children and Young People Thriving (analytical fellowship)
- NI Govt Dept. for the Economy Post-School Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy
- Welsh Govt Defining and Measuring Quality in Childcare
- Domestic Violence and Evidence-Based Interventions
- Contextualised Admissions in Higher Education
- Inspection Improvement Evaluation
NIHR Call for Applications: interventions for children and young people’s mental health
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research (PHR) Programme seeks research on effective interventions to promote mental health, early intervention, and prevent mental ill-health in children and young people. Focused on population-level interventions, particularly for disadvantaged groups, the research should address mental health and its wider determinants, with an emphasis on reducing inequalities. For more information and to apply, visit the NIHR website. The closing date for applications is 15th August
FUTURES Festival 2025 Recruitment
The Exeter Innovation team are recruiting University of Exeter academics for FUTURES Festival of Discovery 2025. Hosted at Exeter Phoenix, with a Pop-Up Shop and associated activities on Sunday 12th October, this event is run in tandem with Universities across the South-West, and connects researchers to their local communities. They are looking for researchers at any career stage interested in bringing their work to the public through interactive, family-friendly activities. For more details, including a link to our sign-up form, visit the Future’s Website and contact per@exeter.ac.uk with any further questions!
RESOURCES
Discover the 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.
Useful Resources for Researchers
Explore a range of tools and support available from the Research Development team to help you navigate research funding and project development:
- Applications Library - Home– Browse successful past applications for inspiration and guidance.
- Finding Funding Opportunities (PIVOT-RP) – Discover upcoming calls and register for the training event on 30th June.
- The Research Lifecycle – Access support at every project stage, including Worktribe guidance and financial planning.
For queries or support, contact Karolina Jaworek, Research Development Manager.
Free Resources to Support Children’s Mental Health
This collection of free resources on children’s mental health is now 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.
CYPW Website Review Request
Help us review our Network website! Ahead of a larger review coming soon, please take a moment to check how you:- your research area, team, career stage etc is represented and suggest any updates or changes you think are needed. Your feedback ensures accurate and relevant information—thank you for your support.
Specifically, the Leads from Theme 1: Meaningful involvement with children and young people in research are seeking feedback on the resources members would like to see or contribute to their Theme page, aimed at supporting youth involvement in research. Please Hollie Gay or Kate Townsend.
Explore Hundreds of Opportunities with Funding Finder
Dr Andrew Cunliffe’s Funding Finder platform signposts a wide range of funding opportunities for research, fieldwork, conferences, and exchanges. With awards from £100 to £10 million, it’s relevant to individuals at all levels—from undergraduates to senior academics. With searchable listings and awards, it's designed to support global collaboration and research engagement.
Explore Funding Finder and share with your networks. Over 6,000 users from 90 countries have already accessed the tool, and around 400 more awards are expected to be added by August.
Explore PIVOT-RP: get personalised alerts for research funding opportunities
In October 2024, the University transitioned to Pivot-RP, a powerful online database for finding research funding. Users can search for external and internal funding calls, set up tailored searches, receive funding alerts, track opportunities, and collaborate with colleagues. The platform also provides updates on conferences, paper calls, and research news.
To maximise benefits, users should create an account, claim their profile, and join public groups for bi-weekly funding alerts. Training guides and access information are available on the RIME SharePoint: Finding Funding Opportunities (PIVOT-RP).
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Find out more about the Children and Young People's @ Exeter Wellbeing Network.
