Teens invited to learn the importance of social science research

Year seven pupils were encouraged to think about social science research – what it is, how it contributes to society and how they can get involved through a special event at Teesside University.

The hands-on animation event Animate was hosted at Teesside University on Wednesday 9 November.

The event was part of the ESRC’s (Economic and Social Research Council) Festival of Social Science, which ran nationwide from November 5 to 12 and gave young people from across the region an opportunity to engage with leading researchers from the Alcohol and Public Health team at Teesside University, Team Alpha, to discover, discuss and debate topical social science issues.

Pupils from Norham High School in North Shields experienced how animations are narrated in a recording studio, being part of a virtual reality video game and using motion sensors to build animations. This was followed by the showcase of a two-minute research animation used in schools through the UK as part of a large research study, a research wordsearch, and a presentation by two pupils.

Dr Emma Giles, who successfully bid for and won ESRC funding to run the event, said: 'I am inspired by the enthusiasm of Norham pupils and teachers attending the day, in their willingness to learn about social science research, get involved in the afternoon’s events and was impressed by their insightful and probing questions of Team Alpha to learn more about what research is and what happens in Universities.'

Professor Dorothy Newbury-Birch, Professor of Alcohol and Public Health who leads Team Alpha said: 'As an ex-pupil of Norham I was delighted and proud to see pupils visiting us at Teesside University. I am confident that we will see influential researchers of the future coming from Norham. I am also very impressed by the pupils themselves as well as the teachers' commitment to raising aspirations of the young people.'

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