Interviews
Open-ended conversations about civic experiences and the decisions that affect young people.
Research
The Listening Project
Youth-led interviews on how young people experience civic participation — and what they want from their schools, communities, and decision-makers.
Research Purpose
How do young people actually experience the institutions and decisions that shape their lives?
Rather than assuming what young people need, we ask them.
Methodology
Qualitative interviews
Open-ended conversations about civic participation, the decisions that affect young people, and what meaningful influence looks like.
Participation is voluntary, and findings reflect participants' own experiences — not a generalization of all young people.
The Research Process
Thematic analysis
Responses reviewed for recurring themes, counterexamples, and differences between participants.
Publication
Findings published as reports with documented methodology.
Publications
Research reports
Reports are published here as they are completed.
Research Report 01
The Listening Project · 2026
PDF · 14 pages
How Youth Civic Experiences Shape What Young People Want from Their Institutions
Camila Castro, Chi Do · PARALLAX Team
Findings from Listening Project interviews on participation, influence, and the decisions that shape young people's lives.
Participant Perspectives
In their own words
Anonymized quotations from Listening Project interviews.
“I think that the type of policy or decision young people should affect is the decisions surrounding their education. I believe that their education shapes not only their lives in the moment, but it sets up a foundation for their future, whatever it may be.”
Participant A
“Young people should help shape climate change and environmental policy because they will live the longest with the consequences of today's environmental choices, yet they are often left out of current political decisions.”
Participant C
“I had little to no say in this decision and felt like students were not made aware that this was happening. In this instance, it felt like the adults were in a way flexing their power and not considering all perspectives.”
Participant F
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