BiB Centre for Social Change at York announces funding for new projects

The announcement comes in the wake of an internally commissioned funding call which encouraged researchers to develop innovative projects that do one or more of the following:

• Leverage the rich data and resources available across the BiB programme.
• Advance understanding of child development, healthy places, inequalities, and/or health and wellbeing outcomes involving partners in Bradford.
• Deliver evidence that informs policy and contributes to meaningful social change involving partners in Bradford.

Following a shortlisting process, four successful applicants have been named. These are:

Aniela Wenham – Youth, Benefits, and Mental Health 

This project investigates how welfare policy affects the mental health of under-25s. It explores the links between conditionality, sanctions, and insecure employment, aiming to inform youth-responsive welfare and employment policy.

Adam Formby – Pathways to Adulthood: Supporting 16–18-Year-Olds in Bradford 

Using Age of Wonder data, this project examines youth transitions in the context of high numbers of young people in poverty who are also not in education, training or employment. Co-produced with young people and service providers, it will generate actionable insights for improving education, employment, and wellbeing outcomes.

Vanita Sundaram – Racially Minoritised Girls’ Experiences of Sexual Harassment 

This study focuses on racialised sexual harassment in schools and communities, addressing a major evidence gap. Working with young people, educators, and specialist organisations, it aims to improve local responses and inform safeguarding policy.

Kelli Kennedy – Co-producing Bradford’s Just Transition to Net Zero 

In partnership with Bradford Council, this project integrates co-production into the district’s Climate Action Plan. A cohort of climate community researchers will be trained to strengthen the district’s co-production infrastructure, working closely with the CoPPeR network.*

*This project was enabled by the Born in Bradford Centre for Social Change at York, with funding provided by University of York and with support from the Economic and Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Account 2023-2028 (grant reference ES/X00435X/1

The four successful applicants will receive around £20,000 to work on projects over the next 18 months.

BiB Centre for Social Change at York director Professor Kate Pickett and Deputy Director, Dr Amy Barnes, said:

“We’re proud to support researchers who are taking bold, innovative approaches to some of the most pressing challenges facing young people and communities today, building on the foundation of the Born in Bradford (BiB) programme. This funding reflects our commitment to research that drives policy and delivers real-world impact, improving lives across Bradford and beyond.

“We look forward to working with Adam, Aniela, Kelli and Vanita over the coming months.”