The North of England had a tough 2020, with the region’s youth feeling the negative social effects of the pandemic most keenly. However, the online lives they’ve nurtured will play an integral role as they re-emerge into a radically altered landscape for education and career opportunities.
Lara Piras is a copywriter, researcher, and brand strategist. Lara's expertise lies in creative copywriting, editing, trend and insight analysis and strategy, working with renowned global forecasting companies and brands including Nike, ASOS, adidas, IKEA and Peroni. Lara also writes features on wellness, diversity and inclusion, youth culture and future innovations for titles such as Vogue, Refinery29, and Included Magazine.
Christopher Hill is the CEO of Element, a Sheffield-based youth charity. The organisation has helped more than 4000 young people to change their lives and their communities since opening in 2013.
Dr. James Duggan is a research fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Education. His research explores the productive tensions between community-based and public sector ways of organising.
Shahed Ezaydi is a writer and journalist, specialising in opinion and features writing on politics, race, culture, and social issues. She's written for HuffPost, Vice, and Wired. And appeared on the radio for stations such as BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, BBC World Service, and BBC Radio Sheffield.