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Newsletter: May 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: members research successes, our network seminar series, Annual Symposium and HOT OFF THE PRESS our funded writing retreats!! As well as other events and funding opportunities.
We'd love to share your latest projects, publications, events and opportunities. Please email cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
NEWS
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.
Save the Date: Writing Retreats – Opportunities to Work on Your Grants & Bids
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, especially those sparked during the small group discussions at the Symposium (it’s not too late to register via Eventbrite). The space will be available all day and can accommodate groups of various sizes for all, or part of the day.
More details on how to register your interest and reserve your place will follow soon—but for now, please save the date and plan to join us!
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 contact Rosie Fox, Hollie Gay or Kate Townsend.
2025 Walk and Talk for Mental Health
This Saturday (17th), University of Exeter staff, students, alumni, and supporters will take part in the Walk and Talk for Mental Health challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Children and Young People’s Mental Health (ChYMe) project.
Starting and finishing at Streatham Campus, the professionally guided event features two scenic 10-mile loops, with a shorter family-friendly option available. Registration is £10 with a £70 fundraising goal. Participants will receive a medal, t-shirt, and refreshments. Find out more on the Event Page.
Burnout Crisis Among Educational Psychologists Highlighted in New Study
A new study reveals widespread burnout among educational psychologists in England, with 72% reporting moderate to high burnout and 73% experiencing secondary traumatic stress. Contributing factors include relentless workloads, staff shortages, and underfunded SEND support. Many feel helpless and overwhelmed, with 92% “bogged down” by the system. Despite challenges, 74% derive satisfaction from helping others, and 70% remain happy in their career choice. Dr Carolyn Watson’s award-winning research highlights urgent retention issues and calls for systemic change and better support for psychologists. The study was published in Educational Psychology in Practice and won a 2025 British Psychological Society dissertation award.
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.
Celebrating 15 Years of CAPSS: Advancing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research
ChYMe's Tamsin Newlove-Delgado and Ben Geers (Academic Clinical Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) attended the 15 year anniversary of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System, held at the College on the 2nd April to celebrate the impact of CAPSS studies. Tamsin gave a talk on the NIHR-funded Children and Adolescents with ADHD in Transition from Child to Adult Services (CATCh-uS), which ran through CAPSS between 2015 and 2018, led by Professor Tamsin Ford.
CAPSS facilitates the epidemiological study of rare mental health disorders and events amongst children and adolescents and is a valuable public mental health resource. Tamsin and Ben are members of the Executive Committee of CAPSS and would be delighted to talk to anyone who wants to know more about the surveillance system: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System (CAPSS) | Royal College of Psychiatrists
Exploring Digital Health Interventions for Young People with ADHD: A Systematic Review
A systematic review on digital interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has been published in the international journal European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. University of Exeter nursing students Elleie McGlynn and Katherine Lister contributed to the review, along with members of the Children and Young People's Mental Health (ChYMe) and CYPW Research Network. Their review highlights the potential of digital health interventions to support young people with ADHD in the UK, particularly during the transition from child to adult services. Findings suggest that co-produced interventions may enhance feasibility and acceptability, paving the way for future tailored digital solutions. Read the full article here.
We would love to share your news here- please let us know about your publications and awards!
EVENTS
CYP Wellbeing Network Seminar: Dr Maria Loades on Scaling Out Single Session Interventions
Monday 19th May, 12:00- 13:30pm online via TEAMS LINK
We are pleased to invite you to our online seminar with Dr. Maria Loades, Clinical Psychologist and Reader in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath. This event, open to all staff and students, will explore innovative approaches to early intervention for adolescent depression. Dr. Loades will discuss the potential of single-session interventions (SSIs) in improving access to early help for adolescent depression. Her research, supported by multiple NIHR fellowships, focuses on enhancing early access to mental health care. Learn more here: https://linktr.ee/marialoades
CYP Wellbeing Network Seminar: Dr Yinyin Zang
Developing a Culturally Informed Guided Written Exposure Therapy: Cross-Cultural Design and Empirical Evaluation in Chinese Adolescents and Adults with PTSD.
Tuesday 17th June 11:00-12:30 in Room G18, EMS Building, St Luke’s Campus and via TEAMS LINK
Staff and students from all disciplines are invited to attend an engaging seminar on culturally sensitive Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatments. Dr. Yinyin Zang is a Senior Research Fellow at Peking University.
Her team’s innovative work addresses the treatment gap in low-resource settings through scalable, low-cost, and culturally adapted therapies. Discover how self-guided, online, and school-based PTSD interventions are reshaping mental health care access. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from cutting-edge global research.
If you have a suggestion of a speaker for a future seminar or would like us to support your event, please contact cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.
Join Us for the CYP Wellbeing @Exeter Annual Symposium
You are warmly invited to attend the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing @Exeter Research Network Annual Symposium on Monday 23th June 9:00am to 3:00pm, held in person in the Woodbridge Room, Reed Hall, Streatham Campus.
This year’s theme is connection, with a focus on fostering collaboration and supporting ongoing research. The day includes lightning talks, practical sessions with University support teams, a panel discussion across key network themes, small-group workshops, action planning, and a complimentary lunch.
Register via Eventbrite and let us know if you'd like to present or display a poster. We look forward to seeing you there! Open to everyone interested in children and young people’s wellbeing—please share widely!
An Introduction to NVivo – Hands-On Workshop
As part of the Make your Mark series, join Dr Helen Foster-Collins on Wednesday 21st May 1–3pm at Streatham Campus, Old Library, Training Room 4 for an interactive introduction to NVivo. NVivo is a tool for organising and analysing qualitative and mixed-methods data, ideal for projects involving interviews, focus groups, and more. This in-person session will guide you through basic coding techniques and analysis approaches including thematic analysis, content analysis, and grounded theory.
Spaces are limited Read more and Register now!
ECR Town Halls: ECR strategy: what does it mean for me?
Early Career Researchers are invited to the next ECR Town Halls. This term’s theme is “ECR strategy: what does it mean for me?” with a focus on development, research culture, and recognition.
Hear from Fiona Pac-Soo and Chris Wood, and connect with fellow researchers over coffee and pastries. Open to all ECRs including postgraduate researchers and staff. Please register using these links:
Upcoming Webinar: Improving Outcomes for Care Leavers
Public Policy Exchange invites you to a webinar, Improving Outcomes for Care Leavers: Tackling Homelessness and Strengthening Support, taking place on Tuesday 17th June from 10:15am to 4:30pm. With key contributions including Jo Petty from Become, the event will explore the challenges faced by care leavers and promote strategies for long-term support, housing stability, mental health care, and policy reform. Visit the Public Policy and Exchange website for more information and to register.
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.
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
2025 UKRI Policy Fellowships
UKRI has just launched the 2025 Policy Fellowship scheme. 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. Please review the available opportunities and sign up for the UKRI webinar on 20th May.
Policy@Exeter will be 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.
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
The closing date for applications is 15th July 2025.
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.
Key Dates:
- Closing date: 15th August
- NIHR Webinar: 3rd June 1:30–2:45pm (Q&A included) for guidance on funding opportunities, application tips, and a Q&A session sign up to attend
Call for Proposals – Huo Family Foundation Grant System Now Live!
The Huo Family Foundation is accepting proposals for research on The Effects of Digital Technology on Brain Development, Social Behaviours, and Mental Health in Children and Young People. Applications are invited from UK- and US-based researchers for:
- Huo Early-Career Fellowships- up to three years for postdoctoral researchers
- Junior faculty grants- up to three years for focused research projects led by new lecturers/assistant professors
- Special projects- up to four years- larger/ longer-term awards for researchers of all career stages in multi-disciplinary teams.
For more information and to apply visit the HFF website the application deadline is Friday 23rd May
Exploring Pathways to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Network
Dr. Jennifer Allen from the University of Bath is excited to announce the launch of the Exploring Pathways to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Network, funded by the GW4 Alliance. This network seeks academics, researchers, and postgraduate students interested in longitudinal research and child mental health to join.
Opportunities include talks, workshops, and collaborative funding bids. Interested individuals, including ECRs (PostDoc, PhD, DClin, DHealth, MRes), can sign up here.
For more information, visit the website or email exploring-cyp-mh@bath.ac.uk
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 a sign-up form, visit the Future’s Website and contact per@exeter.ac.uk with any further questions.
RESOURCES
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.
Equipment available for CYPW Network members
The CYPW Network is pleased to offer the following equipment for loan. It was purchased by the Theme 1: Meaningful involvement with children and young people in research team but available for members working across all Themes
- A set of recorders
- Bags with locks
- Flashcards
If you are interested in borrowing this equipment for use in your research, or if you would like more information please email cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
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).
Funding for Impact, Grant Applications and Beyond
The Impact@Exeter team are excited to announce the launch of Funding for Impact: Grant Applications and Beyond, their latest Impact Essentials training. This pre-recorded module is now available here and on the Impact@Exeter section of the RIME SharePoint site.
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.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Find out more about the Children and Young People's @ Exeter Wellbeing Network.
