Kelly Razey presents at North South Criminology Conference

Kelly Razey (SLSS Hub, Queen’s University Belfast) presented ‘’Amplifying Marginalised Voices: A Rapid Evidence Review of Participatory Methods Engaging Justice-Involved Youth’ at the North South Criminology Conference this week in Maynooth University.  The Conference in its 16th year hosts academic sessions on many aspects of criminology, including Pathways to Offending for Young People, Community Safety, Crime and Security, Young Adulthood and the Justice System and many more.

Kelly’s presentation looked at the following:

The participation of justice-involved youth in research and policy development is increasingly recognised as important, yet their voices remain marginalised within youth justice systems. Despite commitments to youth engagement, prevailing risk-focused frameworks continue to limit meaningful participation. This study conducts a rapid evidence review to assess the effectiveness of participatory methodologies, such as photovoice, lyric writing, and co-production, in amplifying the voices of justice-involved youth. Rapid reviews provide a robust and efficient synthesis of existing research, offering timely insights into complex social issues. Findings indicate that while participatory approaches empower young people and enhance self-expression, they are frequently constrained by structural barriers, including adult gatekeeping, risk-based governance, and institutional resistance. Many initiatives risk becoming tokenistic, offering consultation rather than genuine power-sharing. However, when embedded within restorative justice and co-produced research models, participatory methods show potential for increasing youth agency and fostering more inclusive decision-making processes. The review highlights the need for systemic reforms that go beyond symbolic participation to embed youth perspectives in justice policy and practice. By challenging traditional power dynamics and advocating for youth-led approaches, this study underscores the importance of shifting from a model of risk management to one of empowerment and inclusion. The findings provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners committed to developing more participatory and youth-centred justice systems.