The impact of COVID-19 on children and young people and the potential contribution of the arts, humanities and social sciences

In October 2020 the British Academy commissioned Newcastle University’s Humanities Research Institute to report on the potential contribution of research in the arts, humanities and social sciences to understanding the impact of COVID-19 on society, with a specific focus on children and young people. This report has been produced to address this issue but also should be considered in the light of the three hundred years economic hit as a result of the response to COVID-19 reported by the UK government in November 2020 and the potential consequences this is likely to have in terms of economic scarring and for public spending in the years to come.

The ‘dive’ was carried out in November 2020. The project aimed to synthesise evidence relevant to the policy areas specified by the British Academy namely Health and Wellbeing and Communities, Culture, and Belonging. Specifically it provides a 'live' picture of the research and the creative solutions being delivered by researchers and partners (arts and cultural, charities, and the voluntary and community sector) impacting upon the well-being of children and young people during the pandemic.