Children's Reading and Cultural Engagement Across Libraries and Community Spaces in Leeds

Project Overview

This doctoral project, a collaboration between the University of Glasgow and the British Library, investigates children's and young people's engagement with reading, storytelling, and book culture across libraries and community spaces in Leeds. It explores how partnerships between national cultural institutions and local communities foster inclusive and meaningful reading cultures beyond traditional educational frameworks, viewing reading as a social and creative practice influenced by place, culture, and community.

What You Will Do

The successful candidate will conduct community-engaged research with children, families, librarians, teachers, youth workers, and cultural practitioners. Employing qualitative and participatory methodologies, they will investigate how library collections, creative programmes, and cultural activities enhance belonging, cultural participation, and equitable access to stories in economically and culturally diverse communities. The role involves collaboration with the British Library and local partners, embedding the candidate in both academic and cultural environments.

Expected Outcomes

This research aims to deepen understanding of how children and young people encounter reading and creative expression in multiple community settings, how collaborations shape inclusive practices, and how co-created programming can support equitable access to literacy. The project will provide insights into the role national cultural institutions can play in supporting locally grounded, community-led literacy initiatives, informing future inclusive programming, collections, and partnerships.

Why This Matters

Reading is framed not just as an educational goal but as a social and creative act shaped by community and cultural context. Investigating children's literary engagement in diverse urban settings highlights how cultural participation fosters belonging and identity, helping to address inequalities in literacy access and cultural inclusion. This research can guide libraries, cultural organisations, and policymakers to build more inclusive and community-responsive reading cultures.