Research

At Adoption UK, we carry out a lot of our own research:

You can also read our reports on our campaign's web pages:

This evidence underpins much of the work we do, particularly our campaigning and lobbying efforts. With rigorous research and a strong evidence-base, we can better identify the needs of adoptive families and work more effectively to support our members.

We are often contacted by researchers wishing to talk to adopted people and adopters as part of their research. Below are some current opportunities. Please note that Adoption UK does not have any involvement in these projects. We always advise that you read all the information provided and talk to the researcher before deciding whether to get involved.

Adopters:

There are currently no research opportunities.

Adopted people:

‘There has been very little research carried out in the UK on the experiences and views of adult adoptees. Here are some current studies where the researchers are looking for adult adoptees to be involved.’

Adoption UK is not endorsing the design of these studies. We will only share details of studies that are being carried out as part of a post-graduate university course.

Focus Group - Exploring outcomes for people who are adopted

Researchers at the University of Manchester have an opportunity for adoptees to shape a new research project and have set out the details below:

Key details:

The event will be held on: Wednesday 29th November 2023
Time: 6.00 – 8.00pm (food will be provided!)
Location: Central Manchester near St Peter’s Square, Manchester (this is a wheelchair accessible venue)
Payment: You will be paid £50 for your time and a £5 remote working allowance to cover things such as data/internet costs.

What’s the session about?

Previous research has shown us that childhood trauma has been linked to an increased risk for a number of different mental health conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders. We want to explore this further so that we can understand how childhood trauma and adoption impact the brain and behaviour. The long-term goal of this research is to develop screening tools which would tell us which young people are most at risk of developing future problems when they are adults.
We’ll be developing a new research study on this area and we’d like to hear your views and ideas to shape what it looks like. Your views will make a huge difference in ensuring the research project can recruit people to take part.

Who is the session for?

If you are aged 18 – 30 and are adopted, we’d really value your input in developing what this study looks like!
There’s no need to prepare anything in advance and you won’t be expected to share your personal experiences with the group - only your thoughts on how the research should be carried out. We’ll also make sure that there will be food and refreshments available too. I hope that you'll be able to make it!

How to get involved

If you’d like to join the session, please let us know by Sunday 12th November by emailing the team - [email protected]
We’re committed to making our opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible so if you have any specific requirements to help you to take part, please let us know.

If you are interested in this area of work but are unable to join the group discussion, please let us know as there may be other opportunities to get involved.

Effects of Early Childhood Displacement on Autobiographical Memory and Self-Identity

Researchers at St Andrews are seeking participants for a research project that seeks to get a better understanding of the long-term effects of being forced to move in early childhood. Specifically, they are looking at the effect on memory and how this then impacts personality development. For those who have been adopted, the hope is that this research can result in increased supports in dealing with some of the difficulties that come from needing to move as a child, regardless of age or the exact circumstances of the adoption.

The survey will take approximately 40 minutes to complete and upon completion you will have the option of submitting your email into a drawing for one of ten £20 gift cards.

The researchers are seeking two groups of participants, those who have experience early childhood displacement (cross-cultural moves, frequent moves, or moves related to other traumatic events) before the age of 10, and those who have not. All participants should be between the age of 18-65, be fluent in English, and currently reside in either the UK or USA.

This study does include questions regarding trauma, including explicitly worded questions about physical, sexual, and emotional trauma and neglect, and symptoms of trauma. Sources of support and distraction will be provided. Please consider carefully if you would like to take part and consult any sources of support if you are unsure. Please contact the researchers with any questions.

If interested, contact the researcher, Jenna Robertson at: [email protected]

'Anti-racist Framework for Decision-making in Transitioning Children from Minoritised Racial and Ethnic Groups into Transracial Adoptive Families (AFDiT)

The University of Sussex is looking for adult adoptees who are transracially adopted in the UK to take part in a research interview to reflect and share their views on developing a new framework to support transracial adoption called 'Anti-racist Framework for Decision-making in Transitioning Children from Minoritised Racial and Ethnic Groups into Transracial Adoptive Families (AFDiT).' The researchers are working with practitioners and people with lived and living experiences of transracial adoption, including adoptees and parents/adopters, to create this new framework to improve social work practice and how children are supported to develop racial identity. Social workers will be trained to use the tool to help them better support foster carers, parents/adoptive parents and children moving into transracial adoption to develop their racial identity. We would like to hear your views about how to shape AFDiT. So if you are interested, kindly get in touch with:

Dr. Tam Cane, [email protected] and Dr. Sushri Puhan, [email protected].

Download flyer for more information about the project

The Nuffield: Expressions of Self

The team at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, would like to talk to care-experienced children and young people from ‘minoritised’ ethnic groups, to understand their identities. The research team is looking for participants for the study: children and young people (aged 14 to 19) who are from a minoritised ethnic group (Black, Asian and mixed heritage) including those of complex ethnic identities and/or biracial. The research team is interested in hearing their perspectives on ethnicity, religion and identity, the research outcomes will inform multiple social care stakeholders about how they can best meet children’s needs. You are invited to participate in this research if you have responsibility (in a personal or professional capacity) for children or young people (aged 14–19) who are in or have been in care and who are from a minoritised religious and ethnic background. All participants will be offered a £20 voucher in recognition of their contributions to the research project. If you have any questions or would like to participate please contact the Nuffield: Expressions of Self Team. The team will also be able to provide detailed information about research process and ethics.

Contact the Team: Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, Associate Professor, CTPSR [email protected]

Access to adoption records in Wales Body

Are you an adopted adult living in or adopted from Wales who has accessed or tried to access your birth records over the last 10 years? We at Adoption UK would very much like to hear about your experiences. We have been commissioned by the National Adoption Service in Wales to conduct research with the intention of improving services in the future. If you would like to participate in this survey please fill in the questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/r/wShhMGQmXb

How do the stories we tell about adoption impact upon self-concept in adolescents?

The research team (based in the Division of Psychology and Mental Health) are interested in understanding how people learn about their
adoption and how adoption is talked about and supported within families. We aim to explore how conversations about adoption have an impact on how people feel about themselves.

The study is looking for people who:

Are aged 16-24
Have been adopted as a child (under the age of 16 years) in the UK
Would feel comfortable sharing your story in an interview with one of our researchers

Please visit the website by scanning the QR code below. Alternatively, email [email protected]. If you wish to take part, you will first be invited to a telephone conversation where we can provide further information.