Kids On Climate | 2025-2027 | Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral project ENG

KIDSONCLIMATE is a project that investigates how young teenagers’ awareness of the climate crisis, and the emotions it generates, might impact their (dis)engagement with politics at different levels

Children’s opinions matter

Are you a parent of a teenager, or a young person between 10 and 17? We want to hear from you!

The KIDSONCLIMATE project is currently looking for participants in Belgium and France to share their thoughts on the climate crisis and how it shapes their view of the world. No « right » or « wrong » answers—just honest conversations about your feelings, your hopes, and your place in society.

Who? Young people aged 10-17.
Where? In Belgium and France.
Why? To help us understand how the climate crisis is changing the way we think about politics and our future.

Ready to take part or want to learn more? > katharine.throssell@uclouvain.be

Registration

The Kids on Climate Research Project

Katharine Throssell is leading an exciting international study funded by the European Commission (prestigious Marie Curie fellowship): Kids on Climate.

This project addresses the urgent need for research on student well-being in contexts of crisis (environmental, democratic, international) and explores how the emotions generated by these contexts influence democratic engagement.

The Methodology: Combining Data with Real-Life Experience

KIDSONCLIMATE combines two scientific approaches to understand youth perspectives:

Data Analysis: Examining international sociological patterns (analysis of quantitative data from international surveys such as the IEA Civic and Citizenship Education Study).
Qualitative Interviews: In-depth dialogues with young people (ages 10-17) in Belgium and France to capture emotions and motivations beyond statistics.

A Collaborative Approach

The project is built with young people, not just about them:

Youth Advisors: A dedicated group of teenage consultants provides feedback on methodology.
Grounded Analysis: Ensuring research remains connected to the actual lived experiences of today’s teenagers.

Ethics & Integrity

Approved Methodology: Rigorously reviewed and approved by the IRIS-L Ethics Committee (UCLouvain).
Participant Protection: Guaranteed highest standards of scientific integrity and data privacy.

Meet Katharine Throssell

Most people think politics is only for adults, but Katharine Throssell knows that citizenshipbegins much earlier, well before being old enough to vote !

For more than ten years Katharine has been interested in how children and young people learn about politics and how they develop opinions on the different issues they encounter in their everyday lives.

Her work seeks to give young people a voice on issues they aren’t often asked about and yet which affect them all. She argues it is important for adults – and researchers – to pay attention to those voices !

She was recently awarded a prestigious Marie Sklodowsa Curie grant for research to explore how young people feel about learning about climate change and the other big issues the world is facing in 2026 !

Ressources

Project overview and consent form

School Information Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KIDSONCLIMATE study?

It is a research project led by Dr. Katharine Throssell at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain). She is exploring how learning about the climate crisis affects the way young people (ages 10–17) view democracy and their role in society.

Why is this research important?

Young people are often the most affected by climate discussions but are frequently excluded from social science research. This project aims to bridge that gap, making sure their voices and perspectives are heard and documented by the scientific community.

What does the interview involve?

It is a 40 minutes to one-hour conversation, not a test. We will discuss things like:
-> How and where you learn about the climate crisis,
-> The social and political issues that matter to you,
-> Your hopes and visions for the future.

To keep things engaging, we may use images, cartoons, or games to spark discussion. There are no right or wrong answers—you are the expert on your own life.

Where will the interview take place?

We offer flexibility to suit your schedule.
It can be held:
– In-person at a mutually convenient location.
– Online via a secure video call.

How is my child’s data protected?

We take data privacy very seriously.
– Anonymity: All participation is fully anonymized. No names or identifying details will ever be published or shared.
– Audio Recording: We record the audio only to ensure we capture the conversation accurately. These files are stored on secure, encrypted servers.
– Data Deletion: All recordings and personal data are destroyed at the end of the research period (2 years).

Can we change our minds?

Yes, absolutely. Participation is entirely voluntary. You or your child can withdraw from the study at any time—before, during, or even after the interview has taken place—without needing to provide a reason. If you withdraw, all your data will be immediately deleted.

Who can participate?

We are looking for young people aged between 10 and 17 years old.

How do we sign up?

For participants under 18, we require both the participant’s agreement and parental consent. You can download the consent form below or contact us directly to start the process.

Contact the Researcher: For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please reach out to Dr. Katharine Throssell at katharine.throssell@uclouvain.be.

Participation is strictly voluntary. Upon request and school authorization, Katharine can also visit classrooms to give a brief (15-20 min) presentation, allowing students to ask questions before deciding to take part.