ESRA 2027 sessions by theme

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Session Details

Longitudinal cohort studies of children and young people are a core part of survey infrastructure in many countries, providing vital evidence on development, experiences and outcomes over time. As the data landscape evolves, these studies face both new opportunities and challenges. Declining participation, difficulties in maintaining representative and inclusive samples, and changing patterns of young people’s lives are creating new demands on traditional survey approaches. At the same time, new data sources, including digital and passive data, alongside developments in AI, machine learning and data science, offer opportunities to strengthen measurement, improve participant engagement and address longstanding challenges in longitudinal research. Integrating these approaches with established survey methods raises important methodological, ethical and practical questions, particularly when research involves children and young people.
This session will cover recent developments and innovations in child and youth cohort studies, including the design of new cohorts and developments in existing studies. It will explore how established survey methods are evolving in response to new data sources, technologies and approaches to data collection and analysis.
Submissions are particularly welcomed on:
- design and implementation of new child and youth cohort studies
- developments in existing child and youth cohort studies
- involving children and young people in study design and co-production
- measurement, including questionnaires and direct assessments
- collecting data on sensitive topics
- data collection innovations and mode
- integration of survey data with administrative, digital and passive data
- use of AI, machine learning and other computational approaches
- inclusivity and addressing inequalities in participation
- reliability and validity of children and young people’s self-reports
- non-response and innovative approaches to participant engagement and retention
- ethical issues, including informed consent and young people’s rights.
- international comparisons and data harmonisation
Submissions need not be restricted to these specific examples.