“Engaging and strengthening youth through international community-based research: Implementation and evaluation of an International Youth Advisory Board”

Craig, S. L., Brooks, A. S., Cristobal, G. S., Hui, J., Pelletier, H., Pascoe, R., Zamorano, L., & The INQYR International Youth Advisory Board (2025). American Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12821

Background

• Sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY) experience heightened vulnerability due to systemic oppression, stigma, and marginalization globally.

• Despite their overrepresentation in research as subjects, SGDY are rarely engaged as active contributors to research design, implementation, or governance.

• Youth advisory boards (YABs) offer a participatory mechanism to elevate youth voices in research but lack evidence-based guidance, especially across international or decolonial contexts.

• YABs may also have the potential to be a positive developmental space for SGDY, but there is limited information about positive outcomes of participating in a YAB.

• This study addresses these gaps by evaluating the implementation and impacts of a bilingual International Youth Advisory Board (IYAB) for SGDY in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.

Study Description

• A convergent mixed-methods study evaluated a 1-year bilingual IYAB coordinated by the International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience (INQYR).

• The IYAB included 12 SGDY participants aged 15–21 from three countries, selected to ensure racial, geographic, and experiential diversity.

• Six virtual meetings were conducted over the year, incorporating:

  • Affirming check-in activities.

  • Youth development workshops co-designed by participants (e.g., healthy relationships, academic pathways).

  • Structured feedback sessions on research materials (e.g., surveys, infographics).

• Graduate student facilitators acted as near-peer mentors, providing guidance and support.

• Quantitative data were collected via pre- and post-surveys; qualitative data were gathered through a focus group and chat logs.

Unique Findings

Quantitative results:

• Increases were observed across nearly all domains:

  • Sense of SGD community: +13.95%.

  • Research skill: +13.45%.

  • Supportive adult relationships: +11.95%.

  • Research knowledge: +11.04%.

  • Collaboration skills: +9.57%.

• Self-advocacy and perceived importance of research remained high throughout.

Qualitative themes:

• Growth

  • Youth reported personal development, including increased confidence and leadership aspirations.

  • Some entered the board as newly out and left feeling more empowered and connected.

• Diversity

  • Participants valued racial diversity and felt safer than in predominantly White LGBTQ+ spaces.

  • International membership broadened awareness of SGDY issues beyond the Global North.

• Connection

  • Some youth desired more social interaction between meetings.

  • A Discord server was created to support ongoing peer connection and reduce isolation.

• Action

  • Youth felt empowered by the opportunity to shape research.

  • Researchers appreciated the feedback, often adapting their studies based on youth input.

• Reciprocity

  • A two-way learning dynamic emerged, with youth also requesting feedback on their own work.

  • Acknowledgement of youth contributions was formalized in manuscripts and meetings.

Conclusions

• The IYAB model supports both high-quality participatory research and meaningful youth development.

• The study offers three recommendations for future implementation:

  1. Support youth development and impact

  • Let youth co-design content and goals.

  • Prioritize social skill-building and identity development.

  • Recognize and nurture SGDY leadership potential.

  2. Integrate diverse perspectives

  • Include Global North and South youth.

  • Facilitate racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity.

  • Structure boards to maximize safety and representation.

  3. Design a transparent feedback loop

  • Invite youth to critique and co-create research materials.

  • Communicate how feedback is used—or why it can’t be.

  • Acknowledge contributions visibly and meaningfully.

• The IYAB offers a replicable, strengths-based model for community-based research that centers youth voices and promotes SGDY well-being.

• Future efforts should expand to include more underrepresented SGDY groups and explore long-term outcomes.