What’s a Youth Advisory Group?
A Youth Advisory Group is a space where young people come together with researchers to share their perspectives on adolescent research. It’s a collaborative environment where we brainstorm, share ideas, and work together to make a difference in adolescent health.
Join our Pain Smart Youth Advisory Group to help shape how we talk about pain with young people, provide feedback on research materials and share ideas about what really matters to teens when it comes to health and wellbeing.
Why join?
Learn Research Skills: Get hands-on experience in developing writing and speaking skills and collaborating with other young people and researchers.
Make an Impact: Represent young people and directly influence youth-focused research.
Unique Contributions: Share your unique skills and experiences to help make youth research more relevant and meaningful.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with researchers, professionals, and other young people.
Personal Growth: Build critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Community Engagement: Be part of a group that values your voice and it is committed to improving youth health.
Leadership Opportunities: You can choose to take on a leadership role and help guide the direction of the group.
Who will you be co-researching with?
You’ll be working with researchers from the University of Sydney, specifically in the Pain Smart program, which focuses on adolescent pain. You will also be co-researching with up to 18 other young people!
Get Involved
Help shape how we talk about pain with young people.
Gift Cards
You will receive a $30 gift card each month for your participation.
Am I eligible?
If you are aged 12-18 then you’re eligible! We would especially love to hear from you if you:
– Want to learn new skills
– Are passionate about youth voices being heard
– Have lived experience with chronic pain (though it’s not required)
What’s involved?
Monthly meetings
- 90-minute video sessions: held after school hours from May to December. The group will decide on the most convenient day
- Skill building sessions: Each meeting will feature new research skills taught by the researchers, based on your suggestions!
- Guest speakers: We will host a variety of guest speakers to bring ideas and expertise to the group.
- Open forum: Each session will include opportunities to bring up discussion points, ensuring we cover topics that matter to you.
Optional engagement
- Keep in touch via Slack: Between meetings you suggest discussion topics, provide reflections on previous sessions and share relevant research, to help us improve, all via a secure messaging system!
- In-person workshop in October: Meet your co-researchers face-to-face, practice the skills we’ve been learning and celebrate international youth week together.
Recognition of your time
- Gift cards: You will receive a $30 gift card each month for your participation.
I am a parent. Can I be involved?
We love to support young people in building independence skills and encourage them to be present at sessions themselves. However, we always welcome parents to stay connected and updated on what we are doing by contacting us at any time If it’s your young person’s preference, you can observe the sessions too.
We also welcome any supports that young people may need to aid their engagement, whether that’s a parent helping them communicate their ideas or regular breaks to manage symptoms. Parents, please reach out if you have any questions about how to support your young person while they are in the Youth Advisory Group.
How do I sign up?
Interested? Click here to fill in the form, and we’ll reach out to you and/or your parent/carer soon!
We can’t wait to be co-researchers with you!
If you have any questions, email Isabelle and Payton at
painsmart-yag.admin@sydney.edu.au or message us at +61 468 385 128.