Doctoral Training Partnerships: a range of postgraduate training is funded by the Research Councils. For information on current funding routes, see the common terminology at https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/how-we-fund-studentships/. Training grants may be to one organisation or to a consortia of research organisations. This portal will show the lead organisation only.

There is a growing body of research on the victim-survivors of child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation (CSAE) globally. Victim-survivor researchers are also playing an increasingly important role. Victim-survivor researchers bring a vital perspective to childhood sexual abuse studies. They excel in identifying key research questions and building trust with participants, ensuring research relevance and fostering open communication. This is leading to debates and positive changes to mental health and other services that support moving forwards in life and quests for justice, but there is a long way to go. Critically, there is a notable gap in empirical studies on Black lived experiences in the UK (Children's Commissioner, 2015) and Black women's lived experiences of violence (Kanyeredzi, 2014). Afro-Caribbean (Black) people are underrepresented in research but over-represented in the both the mental health (Beresford et al 2009) and prison systems (Prison Reform Trust). They are a 'doubly hidden and excluded group: they are not reporting and not being picked up by universal services', (Angelou Centre, 2016). In other words, there is a lack of research into this population's needs and, therefore, inappropriate service development/refinement. Utilising a survivor-led qualitative approach, the intention of this study is to explore the barriers to Black victim-survivors reporting child sexual abuse as adults in Britain and, secondarily, the ways and extent to which racism and colonialism may silence survivors. Findings will address the clear evidence gap and help in the development/refinement of services to meet the needs of excluded Black victim-survivors. Black victim-survivors can lead and participate in research as part of the 'trauma mission' (Herman 2009) that is essential to moving forwards in life. As an insider researcher, I advocate for the role of victim-survivor participation in empowering, healing and challenging inequality, (Clemens and Mason 2008).

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against females is a major public health problem and a violation of victims' human rights. IPV is defined as behaviour by an intimate or ex-intimate partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, economic abuse and controlling behaviour such as isolation from family and friends and monitoring movements (WHO, 2021). Globally, almost one third of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 are subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner (WHO, 2017). In Uganda, over half of married/cohabiting women aged 15-49 report ever experiencing IPV - higher than the global average (UBOS & ICF, 2018). In low- and middle-income countries the prevalence of IPV among married/cohabiting adolescent girls (15-19) and young women (20-24) is higher than for older women (Decker et al., 2014). In Uganda, adolescent females have four times the risk of IPV compared to women aged 20-24 (Ogbonnaya et al., 2021). Most studies focus on 'married' women, however evidence from high-income countries reveals that IPV is common within informal (dating) adolescent relationships (Leen, 2013). IPV is more prevalent in conflict-affected areas (Garcia-Moreno et al., 2006; Stark et al., 2010), such as the post-conflict region of northern Uganda compared to more peaceful parts of the country (Stark et al., 2010; Ochen 2011, 2016; UBOS, 2012; 2018; Black et al., 2019). Again, younger women demonstrate higher risk compared to the older generation, despite having improved educational and economic opportunities that are recognised protective factors (Black et al., 2019). IPV results in adverse impacts for the victims and their children (e.g. serious injuries, death, reproductive health problems [e.g. HIV, other STIs, unplanned pregnancy, miscarriages and pre-term births], mental health problems, intergenerational transmission of violence (Karakurt et al., 2014; Potter et al., 2021; Wong & Mellor, 2013; Wood et al., 2018;). Long-term psychological and behavioural problems can arise for children exposed to IPV (Bedi & Goddard, 2007) due to experiencing the violence enacted by the perpetrator and being subjected to aggressive parenting by the victims (Decker et al., 2018; Saile et al., 2014). We propose to conduct participatory research with key community stakeholders and young people to inform the development of a co-created game-based intervention to tackle IPV among young people in Uganda. This will be achieved by: Determining the prevalence of IPV among young people in formal and informal relationships in conflict-affected and peaceful regions. Examining the potential risk factors for, drivers and facilitators of IPV among young people and ascertaining whether these differ based on the conflict status of the region or the formal/informal status of the relationship. Exploring the impacts of IPV on victims in the different Ugandan contexts Co-creating, with young people, community partners and IPV researchers, a prosocial gaming intervention for young people and associated media presence, to address and prevent IPV and to encourage help-seeking for those affected. Engaging with community partners to use a participatory monitoring and evaluation approach to mobilise the communities to be responsive to IPV among young people, to assess the uptake and impact of the intervention and to ensure its long-term sustainability. The project will deliver a digital game, playable on mobile phones, with an associated website for young people and their supporters (informal and formal) to prevent and/or ameliorate the impacts of IPV.

SPICE (Stimulating Participation in the Informal Creative Economy) investigated the informal creative economies that grow up around cultural heritage in England. The research team drew together participants from four distinctive locations (London, Oxford, Sheffield and N Yorkshire/E Cleveland) Through a series of workshops blending discussion and practical tasks, key issues in developing a vibrant informal creative economy were analysed by participants from the four neighbourhoods together with researchers. Participants included social entrepreneurs; artists, poets and photographers; trainers and facilitators; local authority staff responsible for the cultural sector and regeneration; retirees; academics; small business and voluntary sector representatives. Given the importance of place and identity to the project, the decision was taken to run a workshop in each of the four areas, meeting some of the same participants in different places, acting as 'visitor' or 'host'. Although we intended to make local activities the focus in each visit (inviting the 'hosts' from the area to present their work and discuss it with the 'visitors'), this aspect developed further than we had originally conceived and tours of the area and other opportunities for civic pride to manifest became an integral part of the agenda in each place, led by participants' interests.

Social inequality is a key cause of poor health and reduced wellbeing for individuals and communities. Lack of access to adequate and healthy food, appropriate and comfortable housing and good quality public services has a negative effect on people's general health and life expectancy. Economic barriers to participation in social and cultural activities further undermine personal wellbeing, giving rise to feelings of isolation and increasing levels of anxiety and depression. In recent years, health inequalities have worsened in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and cost of living crisis. Children are disproportionately affected by social inequality, with recent data suggesting that up to one in three children in the UK are living in poverty (Joseph Rowntree Foundation). Levels of deprivation are especially high in parts of North-East England, including Middlesbrough and the South Tees region. The future of health and care is currently a prominent topic of public debate. The 75th anniversary of the founding of the National Health Service has prompted people to compare past and present experiences and to think about the future of health and care in the UK. However, the voices of children, and especially those experiencing social inequality, are rarely heard in national debates about public health. This matters for two reasons. Firstly, being listened to is a vital ingredient for children's wellbeing. Children need opportunities to give free expression to their experiences and perspectives and to know that their thoughts and feelings are taken seriously. Secondly, knowledge and understanding of children's lived experience can positively inform the development and delivery of public services supporting the health and wellbeing of children. Standard research methods (such as surveys, interviews and focus groups) may not be the best way to capture children's perspectives. By contrast, creative approaches enable children to explore, reflect on and share their thoughts and feelings in ways which are inclusive, enjoyable and rewarding. This project is a collaboration between the Centre for Culture and Creativity at Teesside University, the Health Determinants Research Collaborative, Tees Valley Education Trust and the Live Well Centre in Middlesbrough. Arts and Humanities researchers from Teesside University will work in partnership with Tees Valley Education Trust to co-design a programme of creative workshops for children living in areas of high multiple deprivation in the South Tees region in North-East England. Children will have the opportunity to explore, express and communicate their lived experiences and perspectives on social inequality and health and wellbeing through a series of interactive and inclusive workshops, including comic-making, creative writing, dance and performance. They will work with artists, writers, musicians and performers to co-produce outputs capturing their voices through anthologies of artwork and creative writing and short animated or documentary films. Public audiences, health professionals, policy makers, and researchers will have opportunities to learn from the experience and insights of children. The Live Well Centre, a multi-agency health hub in Middlesbrough will host public displays, exhibitions, screenings and talks. The Health Determinants Research Collaborative (a partnership between Teesside University and public health and local government in the South Tees region) will host knowledge exchange events, where the outcomes of the project can be shared with community-based researchers, public health leaders and practitioners from across the region.