We spend our days thinking about how children grow, how we measure that growth, and how we can improve health research for future generations. Much of that work takes place in research centres, laboratories, and academic publications. Yet the people at the heart of our research are children, families, schools, and communities.
That is why we are launching a series of community competitions designed to bring local people into our work from the very beginning.
Why are we doing this?
Research is strongest when it is shaped by the people it is intended to benefit.
We want children and families to become familiar with our work, understand what we do, and feel connected to the research taking place in their community. Research can sometimes feel distant or inaccessible. We want to change that by creating enjoyable opportunities for people to engage with science in ways that feel relevant to their everyday lives.
These competitions are a first step towards building lasting relationships with local communities. We hope they spark curiosity, encourage conversations about research at home and in schools, and help children see that their ideas and experiences matter.
Our First Competitions
We are starting with two creative competitions for children and young people.
Design a Research Sticker
Children who take part in research are often given a sticker to thank them for their contribution. Rather than researchers deciding what those stickers should look like, we thought children should have the opportunity to design them themselves.
We are inviting children to create a sticker design that could be used to celebrate future research participants. It is a chance for them to leave their mark on our research and help us recognise the valuable contribution that children make to science.
Design Our Ideal Research Space
For our second competition, we are asking children to help us imagine the perfect research environment.
What would make a research space exciting, welcoming, comfortable, and fun? Whether it is colourful artwork, interactive activities, imaginative themes, or something we have never considered, we want to hear their ideas.
The best ideas often come from the people who use a space, and children can offer perspectives that adults might overlook.
More Than Just a Competition
While these activities are designed to be fun, they also help us learn.
Children experience research differently from adults. By listening to their views, we can improve how we design research environments, communicate about studies, and create positive experiences for future participants.
This reflects a wider commitment within REACH to work alongside communities rather than simply conduct research about them.
Building Connections for the Future
These competitions are just the beginning.
Our ambition is to create more opportunities for children, families, schools, and community groups to engage with our work. Some activities will be creative, some educational, and some will directly inform future research. Together, they will help us build a stronger connection between researchers and the communities we serve.
We hope that taking part in these competitions helps children feel a sense of ownership and pride. For some, it may be their first encounter with research. For others, it may spark an interest that stays with them for years to come.
Most importantly, we want every child who enters to know that their ideas count. If our research is about improving the health and wellbeing of future generations, then those generations deserve a voice in shaping it.
Get Involved
Our competitions are now open, and we look forward to seeing the creativity, imagination, and ideas that children and young people bring to them.
After all, the best research is not something done for communities. It is something built with them.