The Gen Z Role Models Project

5 December 2024.

Last month, my collaborators and I launched Phase 2 of our Gen Z study. Generously supported by Oxford’s John Fell Fund, Phase 2 makes good on our study’s participatory ethos. Through an online form, we give participants an overview of our analysis. They then comment on our analysis. Finally, they tell us about their ideal religious or spiritual role model.

Now in its third week, Phase 2 has already gotten over 40 responses from an original set of 100 participants. We thought 20 Phase 2 respondents would be a stretch. But now, as we near 50, we are excited about the methodological implications of having such a robust set of responses (more on this later).

Moreover, we are thrilled that our intention to do participatory research — and to do it well — is coming to fruition. Indeed, at the outset of this project, my collaborators and I wanted to do research differently. We wanted to flatten epistemological hierarchies and give aspiring academics a chance to shine. We are making progress on both fronts. And, with a bit of luck, we’ll see the fruits of all our labours before long. 🙂

---

Are you between the ages of 18 and 27?

We are still recruiting Gen Zers to take part in Phase 1 of our study. Click on the image below for more information and to participate.