Institute for Children’s Futures, Manchester Metropolitan University
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After the launch in November 2024, the ICF identified four broad research priority areas for the first two years of its operation. The child-friendly city or region was one of the core areas. This placement is linked to this research priority area of the ICF.
UNICEF defines a child-friendly city as “a city, town, municipality, or any system of local governance committed to fulfilling child rights as articulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child” (UNICEF, 2022, p. 5). A child-friendly city or initiative places the voices, rights, needs, and priorities of children and young people at its core, ensuring these elements are embedded in the design and implementation of services, programs, and policies that directly affect them. Whitzman et al (2010, p. 477) assert that at their core, child-friendly cities underscore “an a priori right for children’s participation in public space and discourse”. First introduced by UNICEF in 1996, the concept envisions a city that supports the healthy development of children, fosters their independence, and integrates them into the broader community (Rakhimova et al., 2025, p. 4). The academic and policy literature surrounding child-friendly cities and spaces widely acknowledges that children’s rights law forms the essential foundation for underpinning the decisions about policies, programs, and service delivery that impact children and young people (Bridgman, 2004; Adams et al., 2019).
However, as Riggio (2002) observes, the growing number of children living in urban areas has highlighted the fact that many cities are still “largely unfriendly to children” (p. 44). Challenges such as inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, poor transportation systems, insufficient public services, and the lack of green spaces, public areas, and recreational facilities underscore the critical need for urban environments to be redesigned and resourced in ways that uphold children’s rights.
While these challenges persist, Powell (2024) argues that child-friendly city initiatives have significant potential to enhance the civic participation of young people, ensuring their voices are incorporated into local decision-making processes. However, Powell also notes that the broader implementation of these initiatives often encounters barriers, particularly due to local governance structures and a lack of political commitment to fully give effect to the principles of a child-friendly city.
To strengthen the evidence base on child-friendly cities and regions, the ICF would like to appoint a Research Assistant to conduct a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) to identify gaps and challenges in research, policy, and implementation within child-friendly city/neighbourhood initiatives.
Outline of duties:
Developing a framework for the Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) linked to past research on child-friendly cities and regions.
Completing the review linked to the REA.
Attending the ICF team meeting (primarily online) and updating the progress of the research.
Writing a report.
Presenting the research report to the relevant platform suggested by the ICF team.
Writing a blog on the placement experience with the ICF.
Deadline: 12th December 2025
Skills and experience required for the role:
Experience of working proactively and collaboratively as part of a team and/or wider stakeholders to develop and deliver projects.
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
Strong written skills in report writing.
The ability to develop creative, accessible and engaging communications content across a range of platforms, for example, through blog posts and social media.
Good MS Office and Google Workspace skills.
The ability and motivation to thoroughly research a subject area.
The ability to interpret and summarise information.
Proactive in seeking guidance or clarification.
The ability to think creatively or ‘out of the box’.
Highly organised to plan and complete work within the time available.
How to apply
CV (max two pages) and a cover letter (one page) to demonstrate how the candidate aligns with the project requirements, skills, and what they can bring to this role.
Please note this opportunity has been advertised across multiple Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).
Please confirm on your application that you are a Postgraduate Researcher who has funding through a DTP to undertake a placement as part of your studentship and indicate which DTP you are a member of.

