Current Research

1. Translating God (Internal)

Published in three parts (part 1 and 2 currently published), Translating God represents more than two years of work with input from a diverse group of more than a thousand young people. Its key aim is to explore how young people understand and respond to the Christian story. We are also currently evaluating the effectiveness of a Reading Resource that has been developed by our team in response to the research.
Funders: Halley Stewart Trust, Scripture Union, Bible Society

Link to Report: http://www.translating-god.com

Expected completion: Spring 2025

2. Diocese in Europe Children & Youth Ministry Strategy Research (External)

Youthscape have been commissioned by the Diocese in Europe to map existing youth provision across the diocese and identify hopes and intentions for future youth ministry activities within chaplaincies. The initial phase of this research involves listening to chaplaincies and Youth Workers to identify the barriers and challenges to establishing and delivering youth ministry, as well as the successes and supportive factors. This will be followed by a second phase of research where we recruit, train and support young adult co-researchers to help us listen directly to young people. This co-research will help us to understand young people’s experiences of youth ministry in their chaplaincies, life as ‘third culture kids’, their needs, concerns and desires for support from their chaplaincies.
Funder: The Diocese in Europe
"I am delighted that Youthscape is undertaking this important research on our behalf. They have huge experience in designing and carrying out research that delves deep into, and uncovers, the issues effecting our young people as they live out their Christian lives. In Europe, lives can be complicated for our young people who may be 'Third Culture Kids' or of Global Majority Heritage. Having the expertise and professionalism of Youthscape carry our the research will ensure that we can provide them with the best support to be effective evangelists amongst their peers, where they live and future leaders of our churches all across Europe." Iain Bendrey, Interim Head of Children and Youth Strategy, Diocese in Europe

Expected completion: End 2025

3. Launchpad (and Youthscape Essentials) Evaluation (Internal)

An evaluation of the impact of Youthscape’s Launchpad programme. Launchpad is an opportunity for Church Leaders who have no or little youth work in their churches to be trained and equipped to start an effective youth ministry. The Centre for Research is working with the Launchpad Team to refine the Theory of Change and establish rhythms of evaluation and monitoring within the programme, as well as conduct a one off longitudinal research study into the longer term impacts of participation in the programme.

Expected completion: End 2026

4. Alban Way Evaluation (External)

An ongoing evaluation of the impact of ‘The Alban Way’, a year-long programme focussed on equipping forming people aged 18-35 to grow as disciples and leaders. The Centre was commissioned to evaluate the impact of the pilot programme for the first two cohorts. The first report was disseminated in February 2024 and the second year of the research project also includes the evaluation of the new programme for children and young people.

Funder: The Diocese of St Albans

“The team at the Research Centre have been absolutely brilliant in capturing the essence of our work on The Alban Way. They have consistently shown up, demonstrating a deep commitment to understanding our objectives and challenges. The recommendations they made have had a significant impact—we implemented several of the suggestions, and they’ve borne real fruit in our work. I am delighted to recommend the Research Centre for their insightful and impactful research.” Dan Drew, Assistant Director of Mission & Ministry, St Albans Diocese

Link to Report: On request (link to research@youthscape.co.uk)

Expected completion: Mar 2026

5. Kythe (External)

Working with Kythe to support the listening and planning processes in developing a new worshipping community; Kythe Connects. The project places emphasis on developing an iterative learning process, via action research, which can embed into the future of Kythe Connects. Rather than Youthscape Centre for Research doing the direct research, most of this project involves helping Kythe staff to design and conduct their own research process.

Funder: Kythe

“Our project, KYTHE, has Christian staff with a clear Christian ethos but runs open-access programmes for the local council. Some of the young people had attended a Christian summer festival and were starting to explore issues of faith so we started working with local churches to set up a new form of church. Discussions with Youthscape have helped us shape our research plans to understand more about what is happening with these young people.” Paul Beautyman, CEO, Kythe

Expected completion: Mar 2025