Kid Reporters make headlines at the University of Glasgow
Published: 13 May 2026
An ambitious collaboration between the University of Glasgow and Hillhead Primary gave school children the opportunity to learn more about the media, digital storytelling and the University’s research.
An ambitious collaboration between the University of Glasgow and Hillhead Primary gave 90 school children the opportunity to learn more about the media, digital storytelling and the University’s research.
During February and March 2026, the school’s P3 pupils visited the University’s Gilmorehill campus in the city’s west end to interview 14 academics across 10 sessions, finding out what they do, and how and why they do it.
The wide variety of topics covered by the ‘kid reporters’ included meteorites from outer space, the citizen science of Scotland’s mosquitoes, uncovering the archaeology of the Kelvingrove Skatepark, staying safe online and the University’s work with the local community. They also interviewed the University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield.
The interactive sessions took place in the University’s laboratories, lecture theatres, Hunterian and Graham Kerry Zoology museums, and in Kelvingrove Park. Children were supported throughout by Hillhead Primary’s Principal Teacher Ms Elizabeth Dunn alongside the children’s classroom teachers, learning assistants and the school’s 20 young Digital Leaders, and a team at the University that included PhD students with specialisms from across education, literacies, children’s literature, museum and heritage studies and Master’s students from the School of Education’s Children’s Literature and Literacies MEd program.
The resulting footage will be on display at three showcase events this week, held at Kelvin Hall. Parents, teachers and all those involved in the project will be in attendance, to celebrate the hard work of the children.
This project was informed by research undertaken by Dr Nicole Smith and Dr Elizabeth (Libby) Nelson, which explores children’s agency in making media, questions of consent, post-digital understandings, forms of storytelling and place-based education.
Dr Nicole Smith said: "This project came from a joint interest in finding new ways to meaningfully share our stories of research with younger audiences. We were so delighted by the school and the university’s enthusiastic embrace of the project aims and goals and have had such a joyful and busy time with the pupils, engaging them in complex research ideas, being pushed by their questions and ponderings and, importantly, connecting our everyday work with the local community. The project and the children have really shown us the great potential of this work across the university and beyond."
Elizabeth Dunn is Principal Teacher and Digital Leader of Learning at Hillhead Primary. She said: "Our Primary 3 pupils have gained so much from the media project on children’s reporting. Throughout the experience, they’ve developed a wide range of valuable skills - from building confidence in speaking and listening, to asking thoughtful questions, working collaboratively, and using digital tools for editing and reviewing their work. They’ve shown real enthusiasm and creativity at every stage of the process. The visits to University of Glasgow were a particular highlight, giving the children the opportunity to interview staff in a real-world setting and apply their learning in a meaningful way. It’s been an inspiring experience that has truly brought learning to life."
Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, was the first to be interviewed by the kid reporters. He said: "It really was a privilege to be involved in this wonderful project. I very much enjoyed speaking to the children, who asked some excellent questions - I hope I answered them correctly!
"Projects like this demonstrate that we are and always have been a University for the local community. Many of the children involved have family who work here, so it was an excellent opportunity to engage them with our research and people - and hopefully even inspire them to think about studying at Glasgow when the time comes."
The work of this project will inform and shape the Museum Education MSc and Children’s Literature and Literacies MEd and the School of Education’s involvement in the Film and Screen Curriculum.
Feedback from the children has been hugely positive:
After meeting Professor Andy Schofield and discussing his mum’s studies: "I knew my mum was studying and at university, but I never knew she was getting a degree!"
"Best day ever!" Multiple children on the way back to class.
On the way back to class: "Every day at school I do the same thing and at home I do the same thing, but today I did something different- and I loved it!"
At the Museum of Biology: "Can I come back here with my mum and little sister and show them this?"
First published: 13 May 2026