Research
As well as co-creating DigiDAD, young dads supported by North East Young Dads and Lads (NEYDL) have also worked closely with academic institutions and researchers to improve our understanding of the challenges faced by young fathers, their hopes and aspirations and how systems and services can change to most effectively support young dads and their families. Here is a flavour of their work to date.
What I Wish You Knew
Young dads rarely feel listened to by professionals and feel like few people understand just how dedicated they are to their children. They rarely have the chance to share the challenges they face.
The ‘What I Wish You Knew’ series gives voice to young dads who share what they want professionals to understand about their lives and support needs.
Based on one of the longest running research studies about young dads in the world, called Following Young Fathers Further (run by Professor Anna Tarrant at the University of Lincoln), ‘What I Wish You Knew’ presents the latest research about young dads’ relationships with their children and co-parents, their education and employment experiences, housing, engagements with professionals, and the value of listening to, and co-creating withyoung dads, to do things better for them.
Episode: 2
Episode: 3
Episode: 4
Episode: 5
Think Dad!
A father-inclusive toolkit for professionals
In 2022/2023, young dads Robert and Jordan from NEYDL set out to research and develop an interactive toolkit to help professionals understand and improve how they work with young fathers. Supported by the Following Young Fathers Further research team at The University of Lincoln and NEYDL staff, this resource includes hyperlinks and QR codes taking you to interviews with young dads and professionals, films and other resources focusing on father inclusive practice. Enjoy!
See also LISTEN: The Think Dad Podcast to hear all the interviews for this project.
Diverse Dads
Responding to an identified gap in representation by Minoritised young dads at NEYDL, in 2020 Following Young Fathers Further at The University of Lincoln supported the charity to develop a better understanding of inclusive support and outreach for Minoritised young dads. Led by 3 young dads as peer researchers recruited from NEYDL, the project was delivered in partnership with Connected Voice, Future Men and funded by UK Research and Innovation.
Other Research
Focusing on Fatherhood
In 2019, 9 young dads from NEYDL set out to share their fatherhood journeys using film making and animation skills they learnt specifically for the project. The final film authentically captures their hopes and aspirations, recommendations for professionals and some of the challenges faced by young dads in North East England.
Dads, Lads and Loneliness
In 2019, 11 young dads from NEYDL led new peer research to understand young dads experiences of loneliness and isolation and identify solutions. Delivered in partnership with Newcastle University, the project involved interviews and focus groups with 37 young dads in North East England.
Poster>>
Finding Fathers
In 2018, 9 young dads from NEYDL supported by De Montfort University set out to discover what other services exist for young dads in North East England and what unmet support needs young dads had. The project includes focus groups and interviews involving 16 young dads and 8 professionals.
Independent evaluation reports of
the North East Young Dads and Lads
Ladlow, L. and Tarrant, A. (2024) Dad2Dad Peer Support: Year 2 Independent Evaluation Report, University of Lincoln
2024 University of Lincoln Dad2Dad interim evaluation report
Ladlow, L. and Tarrant, A. (2023) Dad2Dad Peer Support: Year 1 Independent Evaluation Report, University of Lincoln
2023 University of Lincoln Dad2Dad interim evaluation report
Chaudry, I. and Tarrant, A. (2023) Evaluating DigiDAD: One Year On, Evaluation Report for the North East Young Dads and Lads, University of Bradford & University of Lincoln
2023 University of Bradford/University of Lincoln DigiDAD evaluation report
Richardson, M. (2023) Teen Dads Project Final Evaluation Report, Newcastle University
Richardson, M. (2021) Teen Dads Project Year 2 Evaluation, Newcastle University
2021 Newcastle University Teen Dads interim evaluation report
Hanna, E and Coan, S. (2018) North East Young Dads and Lads Project Final Evaluation Report, De Montfort University & Leeds Beckett University
2018 Leeds Beckett University/De Montfort University final evaluation report – NEYDL
Hanna, E and Coan, S. (2017) North East Young Dads and Lads Project Evaluation Report, Leeds Beckett University
2017 Leeds Beckett University interim evaluation report – NEYDL
Other research publications and briefing papers co-created with and/or involving contributions from young dads at NEYDL:
Neale, B. and Tarrant, A. (2024) The Dynamics of Young Fatherhood: the parenting journeys and support needs of young fathers, Bristol: Policy Press.
Tarrant, A., Way, L. and Ladlow, L. (2024) Increasing father engagement among minoritised fathers through proactive service support and outreach: insights from a participatory pilot study, Community, Work & Family.
Prof. Anna Tarrant, Robert Oughton, Kevin Stoodley, Doug Laidlaw, Dr Laura Way and Dr Linzi Ladlow (2023) Co-creating father-inclusive practice with young fathers: the Innovative and Specialist Support of the North East Young Dads and Lads.
Way, L., Tarrant, A., Ladlow, L., York, J., Gorzelanczyk, A., Brown, D., & Patterson, W. (2022) Co-creating with Young Fathers: Producing Community-Informed Training Videos to Foster more Inclusive Support Environments. Sociological Research Online, 27(3), 675-683.
Is There A Right Time? Through the Eyes of Young Fathers. As part of the Equal Play exhibition led by international artist Albert Potrony which ran at Baltic, Gateshead from September 2021 to 2022, 8 young dads from NEYDL, along with their children and partners attended workshops, play sessions and discussions to shape and inform the final exhibition. Among the resources they co-created are a booklet and poster/zine containing their thoughts on fatherhood edited by Albert Potrony and Vicky Sturrs, supported by NEYDL, Baltic and Newcastle University. Poster | Booklet
Skills for Every Young Person, House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee, Report of Session 2021 – 22, Published by the Authority of the House of Lords. View here>>
Tarrant, A., Way, L. and Ladlow, L. (2021) House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee: Youth Unemployment Inquiry. View here>>
Dr Carmen Lau-Clayton and Han-Son Lee (2020) New Pathways for Young Fathers: Executive Summary. View here>>
Dr Carmen Lau-Clayton and Han-Son Lee (2020) New Pathways for Young Fathers: Full report. View here>>
Supporting young parents to reach their full potential (2019) PHE/LGA. View here>>
