How can we ethically research mental health and wellbeing for all children?
This guiding question shapes the foundation of this research-as-intervention participatory narrative project.The project aims to advance ethical and socially just approaches to researching wellbeing with children—particularly young children living in vulnerable contexts, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on developing and adapting methods that are both meaningful and appropriate for children under the age of eight, with a specific emphasis on those living in a temporary shelter for marginalized migrant families. This initiative builds on two years of collaboration with the shelter and draws on the combined expertise of the principal investigator and co-applicant in participatory and narrative practices, especially through the arts. The project seeks not only to have a direct, positive impact on the lives of participating children but also to contribute to the broader development of ethical, inclusive research methodologies that ensure all children can be meaningfully involved in research.