Children as Knowledge Holders

Children’s lives are repeatedly framed within education policy and public discourse in preparatory terms – as a passage towards a specific future, usually in relation to becoming workers or citizens. However, children are far from being ‘citizens in the waiting’. They are always already active in processes of making futures.

Our research involves participatory research with primary school children to explore the question: How do children make sense of past and present injustices in schooling and how do they conceptualise educational justice for future children?

Children’s voices and perspectives are critical to reimagining reparative futures.  Children are not passive recipients of educational and social contexts; they are active agents in the making of these contexts. Our project is inspired by the ideas of Soja (2010) and Lefebvre (1996) about people’s ‘right to the city’. We suggest children in particular have a ‘right to the city’ and it is important to listen and act upon their hopes and concerns.

Priyanka Soni, Asia Giuliani and Ishani Parekh are Repair-Ed DPhil Students who are leading research with children in Bristol. Details of their projects will be shared here soon!