From Voice to Influence: Assessing Youth Participation in Research Advisory Board

Background: Youth participation in research is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of equity and justice in social work research. Yet, youth involvement often remains limited to consultation, with little opportunity to shape decisions or influence research agendas. This study addresses the gap through a case study of the Space and People in Neighborhoods (SPIN) Project, a NIDA-funded initiative launched in 2019. The SPIN Project engaged Black adolescents in identifying safe and risky neighborhood spaces, linking these exposures to stress and substance use. As part of its design, the SPIN team established a Youth Research Advisory Board (YRAB) to integrate youth perspectives throughout the research process.

Although existing literature highlights the benefits of youth engagement, limited studies have adopted a right-based framework to assess youth participation in U.S. social work research. This study applies the Lundy Model of Participation (2007), grounded in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to examine how youth participation was facilitated and constrained in a research project. The model outlines four elements essential to meaningful participation: space (the opportunity to express views), voice (support to express them), audience (being listened to), and influence (having views acted upon). Unlike procedural models, Lundy emphasizes the participatory process and the power dynamics that shape youth involvement.

Method: Using a qualitative case study approach, data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with seven youth participants and five adult facilitators, along with project document analysis, including cognitive interview feedback, post-engagement debriefs, flyers, meeting notes, and youth co-authored publications. The Lundy Model guided the analysis by structuring how youth participation was examined across the four elements.

Results: In terms of space, youth reported that the SPIN Project created a voluntary, accessible, and relationally safe space for youth to engage. Meetings were held in their neighborhood, and facilitators prioritized building trust before introducing research content. Regarding voice, youth revised survey items, mapped neighborhood risks and assets, and co-led data collection. Their voices were elevated through conference presentations, media features, and academic co-authorship—what one youth described as “the most unforgettable moment.” These experiences affirmed that youth contributions were heard and valued by broader audiences. However, influence remained limited. Research questions and project direction were set before the youth joined the board, and institutional constraints restricted their ability to shape the agenda. This reveals a structural tension not fully addressed by the Lundy Model: while the framework calls for youth’s views to be acted upon, it does not ask whether youth can define the purpose or challenge adult-led agendas.

Conclusion and Implementation: This study highlights that youth can be powerful partners when space, voice, and audience are intentionally designed. To transcend tokenism, social work must engage youth from the outset, support adult readiness to share power, and institutionalize Youth Research Advisory Boards within agencies, universities, and communities. Participation must be recognized not as a temporary contribution but as a fundamental right embedded in long-term research and practice.

Back to: Perspectives on Youth Participation & Inclusion

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