A voice for the unheard – empowering young minds through research

LifeLab is a unique initiative created by the University of Southampton in collaboration with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Our key focus is to help young people discover the knowledge and skills they need to regain control of their lives and to devise their own solutions and resilience to current and future health and wellbeing challenges.

The NxtGen Researchers Programme arose out of the recognition that if we are going to produce meaningful research that will benefit young people, we need them to tell us what is important to them and to work with us to decide what the research should be, how it should be carried out and how it should be communicated. The first NxtGen cohort was formed in 2023 and has since evolved to the programme that it is now. The young people have each embarked not only on a journey through the academic research process but have also explored the matters that mean the most to them. If we are to serve young people the best, then we feel it is only right to hear from them directly.

Young people are employed, and therefore paid, by the University of Southampton, to train in research skills, conduct research and present their work. There have been 4 cohorts in total so far and we are currently running the fifth, with a cohort of 16 young people, ages 14 to 18 years. The latest programme has been supported by the council’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) and some examples of the young people’s research topics are the merits of reading from an early age, menstrual health education for young women, better access to sports facilities and how the lack of political education in school could lead to young people feeling underrepresented in politics.

Hugh, a former young researcher spoke about his experiences during last year’s (Jan-March 2025) programme, speaking about how it boosted his confidence and provided a platform to speak about his experiences as a neurodivergent young person in education. His presentation script is available in the presentation files section, to read more about his experiences and work.

More recently, we have worked with 17 teachers across Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, to train them up in running the programme in their schools. Students have been conducting research on data from their #BeeWell wellbeing surveys, set to understand the mental health and wellbeing of their peers. The goal is for them to be the change-makers for their own school’s wellbeing.