In this section:

Research

Here at Inspiring Choices, we believe it is important to use research and findings as a basis for our planning. Since the beginning of the project in 2017, we have been involved, and commissioned, a number of research projects which have informed our practise. You can find out more about these projects in the drop down boxes below.

If you have any questions about any of the research listed, please contact us.

Future Selves Report

In partnership with an academic at the University of Lincoln, this study examined how young people in coastal communities reflected on how they see higher education, their community, and the key influences regarding their future choices and how this was shifting as they progressed through year 10.

Future selves report

People and Places

This report is not available, please check back soon.

Attainment Raising Impact Report

Evaluation of Attainment Raising Pilot Activities 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Attainment Raising projects that were piloted in the 2022-2023 academic year

Military Service Children Report

York St John University and Inspiring Choices worked together to investigate perceptions of higher education in military service children and what support they would like to make higher education more accessible to them.

Military Service Children Report Final

Education Journeys of Young People Leaving Care in York and North Yorkshire

The Education Journeys of Young People Leaving Care in York and North Yorkshire briefing was commissioned by Inspiring Choices through the York & North Yorkshire Care Experienced Network. The research and subsequent report came about as a direct result of a need for such a resource to be identified within the network and was finalised in Spring 2021.

Executive Summary

Full Briefing

Accompanying PowerPoint Slides

Young People's Summary

'What works' in widening participation? Applying the NERUPI Framework to undertake a local impact evaluation of the York & North Yorkshire Uni Connect Programme

Inspiring Choices Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Rebecca Harland, has finished her Master's dissertation entitled 'What works' in widening participation? Applying the NERUPI Framework to undertake a local impact evaluation of the York & North Yorkshire Uni Connect Programme. The paper explores recent WP policy and practice and demonstrates how FutureHY are applying the NERUPI framework to our programme. Rebecca was awarded an MA in Education and Social Justice with Distinction from The University of Lancaster.

Copies of Rebecca's research are available upon request.

Youth, community and social well-being: Investigating the role of youth groups in the health and social well-being of young people in semi-rural areas in the North of England’

Inspiring Choices funded the research report, ‘Youth, community and social well-being: Investigating the role of youth groups in the health and social well-being of young people in semi-rural areas in the North of England’ which was written by Nicola Hague, Visiting Lecturer and Research Assistant at York St John University.

Barriers to accessing university in coastal communities: a qualitative study exploring why young people living along the North Yorkshire Coast are underrepresented in Britain's higher education institutions

Inspiring Choices funded an MSc by Research at York St John University which explores why people from the coastal areas are less likely to go to university. Owen Sloanes completed the research in November 2019 and it has since gained media attention.

Executive Summary of the research paper (downloadable PDF).

BBC Radio Humberside, listen here from 2:39 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07rxy5r

Yorkshire Coast Radio: https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2986505/why-yorkshire-coast-teenagers-are-saying-no-to-university/

Service children’s thoughts on applying for university: a qualitative study exploring why young people from military families in North Yorkshire are under-represented in higher education institutions.

Inspiring Choices funded an MSc by Research at York St John University which explores the views and experiences of service children applying for university.

You can read the Project Report here.