Sussex academics ask children to ‘picture the future’

What does the future look like through the eyes of a child? The Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth (CIRCY) at the University of Sussex wants to know.

The renowned research Centre, who specialise in childhood and youth, are asking children and young people to draw, make or take a photo of something they think will represent the future.

The top 20 entries are to be included in an online exhibition which will mark the launch of the Centre’s year-long programme of activities on the theme of ‘Children, Young People and the Future’.

Professor Janet Boddy, Director of CIRCY, said: “We want to learn from young people about how they picture the future – what’s important to them, what’s exciting and what do they think life might be like?

“Adults often say ‘children are the future’, but we don’t know if children and young people think about this in the same way as adults; it’s hoped this project will help us to do this.”

Elsie Whittington, a PhD student working on the project, said: “Events such as the upcoming election, Brexit, climate change and international wars will have a huge impact on the lives of children and young people who have not had the right or capacity in some cases to affect, or even have their say about these changes.

“It’s important to know how children see the world because they are too often silenced and not consulted on things unless it fits with adult agendas.”

A panel of judges will choose the winners. To submit a picture, please complete the form on this page. The closing date for entries is Sunday 4 June 2017.