S1 E32 - Andrew Hamilton | Men, and Closing the Education Gap For Boys

Dr Andy Hamilton is a research associate with the Taking Boys Seriously (TBS) project at Ulster University. TBS is a longitudinal action research initiative spanning over 18 years. The research works alongside adolescent boys and the educational ecosystem that surrounds them to transform experiences and outcomes in education, particularly for those young men faced with compounded educational disadvantage.  Andy’s background is in informal education. His doctoral research investigated the multiple ways in which youth workers approach peacebuilding with young people in Northern Ireland and stemmed from over a decade of experience as a practitioner and trustee in the youth sector.  His current role with Taking Boys Seriously brings together multiple research interests including equity and equality in education, gender and masculinities, participatory action research, youth in contested societies, and applied social and political theory. It also continues to inform his own practice as a volunteer youth worker with young people in north Belfast.  More information on Taking Boys Seriously including a suite of research articles and the TBS principles for working in a gender-conscious relational way with boys and young men, can be accessed via our website:www.ulster.ac.uk/tbs Written evidence from TBS research that has recently been published by the UK Parliament Education Committee for their Inquiry into boys' engagement and attainment in education is also available from this link:https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/130387/pdf/  Key points of the show:His experience in growing up in Northern Ireland.Good relationships with his family growing up.How he did not know what he wanted to do while growing up.(and one word from a confidante changed that)How at one point he truly believed he was out of his depth! #impostersyndromeWhy calling men "Toxic" as in Toxic Masculinity is ultimately not helpful, and a useful reframe.How the relationship with their educators really affects boys.How the relationship to their own masculinity is not explored, and should be."Local Educational Ecosystems" that encourage boys to thrive.How more and more people are taking boys education more seriously.Why there is nothing intrinsically "wrong" with these boys, but the system needs to change.How boys AND girls need their advocates.Wise and final words If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...www.andrewpain.co.ukLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain Twitter:https://twitter.com/andrewpain1974 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewpain1974