School of Education

We’re delighted to share that Project Real, led by Dr Yvonne Skipper, has been nominated for the Digital Youth Work Award at the YouthLink Scotland National Youth Work Awards, following a nomination by Police Scotland.

Project Real is a co-created initiative supporting young people to spot misinformation, understand digital footprints, and navigate online risks. Young people were actively involved from the outset, shaping consultations, designing resources, and ensuring materials were relevant and realistic, grounded in lived experience rather than adult assumptions.

As Police Scotland noted in their nomination, the partnership “successfully bridges academia, policing and youth work with education and prevention,” making complex digital topics accessible, memorable, and directly linked to young people’s lives — while strengthening digital outcomes and promoting safer online behaviour.

One young contributor shared:
“Being one of the voices to help in the project was amazing… Knowing I would make a positive impact throughout communities made me feel proud of the work that the PSYV team, Dr Skipper, and I have achieved together.”

The shortlist will be announced in April with the awards ceremony taking place in June. 

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First published: 5 March 2026