Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J'aime Rothbard

Researchers have studied it, governments have funded it, and schools have intervened. But 30 years later, boys are still falling behind in education. Why is this problem so 'stubborn?' Why has so little changed? In this episode, Susan talks about her work in the Taking Boys Seriously research project, Appreciative Inquiry, what actually works for boys, why it matters for the men they'll become, and to society overall.

She explains: - The "bricks in the backpack;" a compounded weight that can hold boys back - Why asking 'what works?' produces better answers than asking 'what's wrong?' - The 10 principles of relational education—drawn directly from the boys and their educators - The ecosystem of change: The gifts everyone brings to the table

Susan also shares her own journey through youth services and a mediocre formal education, to finding her voice, her confidence and her path to university, through youth work. She knows personally what it means to be seen, encouraged and taken seriously at the right moment. That knowledge is the quiet engine behind everything she does. Join us for this warm and quietly hopeful conversation.

About Susan Morgan, Lecturer, Ulster University

An academic at Ulster University within the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Susan is the Principal Investigator for the Taking Boys Seriously (TBS) research project, a longitudinal participatory action study aimed at addressing disparities in educational outcomes for boys from working-class communities.

The research adopts an educational ecosystem perspective to examine how compounded disadvantage—including poverty, conflicting constructions of masculinity, and educational approaches—shapes boys' educational experiences. Crucially, it goes beyond analysis to identify and develop the principles and practices that actively enable boys to flourish, offering practical pathways for meaningful and sustained change.

Promotional Messages

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Resources:

Website:

Susan's Professional Website

Taking Boys Seriously

Related Links:

Appreciative Inquiry

Leave No Child Behind Study (Unesco 2022)

The 10 Principles of Relational Education

The Educational Ecosystem

Compounded Educational Disadvantages

Quotes:

"There's nothing inherently wrong with boys. There's something wrong with the system that's around them." - Susan Morgan

"I also think that there's nothing wrong with men... there's possibly something wrong with the environment that we are in." - Kevin Young

"You have more power than you think. We made this system. We can unmake it." - Susan Morgan

"Youth work isn't something that you do just as a job. It's a person that you are." - Susan Morgan

"The word I use to describe it [confused masculinity] is traumatised masculinity." - Kevin Young

"Catch them in the right." - Teacher quoted by Susan Morgan (on the whole-school approach)

Social Media:

Susan's LinkedIn