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The SCAMP Research Challenge programme: Co-developing research with young people for young people

Curtis N, Thompson R, Cheng L, Shen C, Smith RB et al. · 17 Sept 2026

Abstract

Background Public and participant involvement (PPI) is central to conducting ethical, relevant and impactful research. In adolescent mental health research, involving young people is particularly vital given their unique lived experiences, perspectives and unmet mental health needs. The SCAMP Research Challenge (RC) was developed to embed meaningful and reciprocal youth participation into the Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP), the world’s largest cohort study on adolescent mobile phone use, cognition and mental health. Objectives The RC sought to expand cohort recruitment through peer-led approaches, engaging students as active partners in co-delivering data collections within their schools, whilst providing training to support the development of their own research proposals using SCAMP data. Selected projects were subsequently taken forward for further collaborative work with students. Methods Across two academic years (2022–2024), the year-long RC programme was delivered twice to 19 secondary schools in Greater London. Each school nominated a student RC team, which collaborated with SCAMP researchers to lead peer recruitment campaigns, co-organise school-based data collection sessions and develop their own research proposals. Selected teams advanced their projects through structured workshops in literature review, data interpretation and research communication. Engagement and recruitment outcomes were compared with previous SCAMP recruitment and data collection waves. Results RC teams successfully recruited 1,982 new participants into the SCAMP cohort, achieving higher participation rates within shorter timeframes than prior researcher-led approaches. Students demonstrated strong engagement by leading recruitment, facilitating data collections and co-developing seven research projects exploring topics such as digital technology and social media use, digital wellbeing and mental health. All projects are currently being prepared for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Participants reported increased confidence, communication and analytical skills, with several continuing to engage as SCAMP Research Ambassadors or members of the Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG). Discussion The RC illustrates the feasibility and value of integrating PPI and participatory methods into large-scale youth research. Peer-led recruitment proved highly effective for enhancing engagement and data quantity, while the co-development of research projects fostered skills, empowerment and sustained involvement. Challenges included potential opportunity bias due to teacher nominations and inconsistencies in school recruitment logistics. Future iterations should employ transparent, standardised recruitment to ensure inclusivity and equity. Conclusion The SCAMP Research Challenge demonstrates that co-developing research for and with young people can strengthen scientific outcomes while empowering youth as co-contributors. Embedding participatory models in educational settings offers a scalable approach to improving research relevance, impact and youth engagement in public health research.