The fundamental aim of this MRes programme is to enable students to engage with some of the pivotal debates about children and childhood in contemporary society. Central to this will be to explore the different ways that childhood and youth is understood socially and culturally: the programme will help students reflect on their own beliefs and values and how these may impact on their work with children and young people. In particular, the MRes programme encourages students to challenge any taken-for-granted assumptions and ideas about children and young people in society. Overall, the MRes programme will equip students with key transferable expertise such as presentation skills, strong critical and analytical skills, and the ability to work independently on a substantial research project. MRes graduates will possess a strong understanding of conceptual, ethical and practical concerns that may impact on policy and practice in diverse environments with children and young people; as such they will be equipped to work in a broad range of children’s services contexts, advocacy, national and international NGO/charity contexts, as well as an academic research career.