Decolonising concepts of participation and protection in sensitive research with young people: local perspectives and decolonial strategies of Palestinian research advisors

Scholars in childhood research have been reconsidering whether the participation of children and young people in sensitive research is necessary. This paper questions whether some of these objections arise out of colonial attitudes towards childhood, young people, human rights, and research. This paper draws on a participatory study that sought to ascertain how Palestinian young people construct their understandings of human rights. Discussion of some of the local perspectives and decolonial strategies offered by the Young People's Advisory Groups show how they facilitated the voices of their peers safely and decolonised concepts of participation and protection in the process.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the reconsideration of children and young people's participation in sensitive research and questions whether objections stem from colonial attitudes towards childhood, young people, human rights, and research. Drawing on a participatory study on how Palestinian youth perceive human rights, it showcases how Young People's Advisory Groups offered local perspectives and decolonial strategies to facilitate peer voices safely and decolonize concepts of participation and protection.