Research
How WYC
Produces Knowledge
WYC publishes five distinct output formats — each designed for a specific audience, purpose, and depth of analysis. From rapid policy responses to in-depth comparative studies, our work is structured to have real-world impact.
Five output formats. Built for real-world impact.
Our Approach
Rigorous research.
Youth perspective.
Actionable outputs.
Every WYC publication is produced by trained young researchers under structured methodology. We apply academic standards while keeping policy relevance at the centre of everything we write.
Academic standards. Policy relevance at the centre.
Output Formats
Five formats for five
different purposes.
Each output type is calibrated to a specific use case — whether that is advising a policymaker, informing public debate, or making complex data accessible to a general audience.
Each format serves a distinct purpose and audience.
Policy Brief
Purpose: Influence policymakers and political organisations with concise, evidence-based recommendations on a specific issue.
Purpose: Concise, evidence-based recommendations for policymakers.
Document StructureComparative Youth Issue Report
Purpose: Examine how differences in policy design and institutional frameworks across countries shape divergent youth outcomes — providing in-depth cross-national analysis.
Purpose: Cross-national analysis of youth policy outcomes.
Document StructureYouth Impact
Assessment
Purpose: Evaluate how proposed or existing policies specifically affect young people — surfacing both intended effects and risks of unintended consequences.
Purpose: Evaluate policy impact on young people.
Document StructurePosition Paper &
Statement
Purpose: Provide rapid, structured responses to current political developments — articulating WYC's normative stance and a focused policy ask on behalf of youth.
Purpose: Rapid responses articulating WYC's stance on current developments.
Document StructureData Snapshot
Purpose: Make complex issues digestible for a broad audience through data visualisations and plain-language explanations — without normative recommendations.
Purpose: Clear data visualisations for a broad audience.
Document StructureOur Process
From question to publication.
All WYC outputs follow a structured production cycle designed to maintain quality, independence, and methodological transparency.
Structured cycle. Quality and independence guaranteed.
Topic Selection
Research teams identify issues with clear youth relevance and policy salience. Topics are reviewed and approved by WYC editorial leadership.
Research & Writing
Authors conduct structured research using academic sources, official data, and comparative case analysis following the format's methodology.
Editorial Review
Every submission undergoes a structured peer review for factual accuracy, analytical rigour, and clarity before proceeding to publication.
Open Publication
Approved outputs are published open-access on the WYC website and distributed to relevant policy networks and partner organisations.
Get Involved
Contribute to
WYC research.
Whether you want to author a brief, join a national research team, or submit a topic proposal — we want to hear from you.
Author a brief, join a team, or propose a topic.