YRC Impact

The Youth Research Council Goes Nationwide

From local chapters to a nationwide network, the Youth Research Council is expanding the reach and impact of youth-led inquiry.

As of January 2027, the Youth Research Council (YRC) will bring together young researchers across five regions of the country: Baltimore, Maryland; Portland, Oregon; Long Island, New York; Washington, D.C.; and Southern Virginia. Through partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations, this growing network reflects a powerful and urgent truth: young people are not just stakeholders in the decisions that shape their lives—they are essential partners in making those decisions.

By equipping youth to investigate the issues that matter to them and bring their insights to decision-makers, the YRC is advancing a vision of research, policy, and practice shaped with young people, not simply for them. From education and health to public policy and beyond, our growing national network demonstrates the potential of youth-led inquiry to inform more responsive, equitable, and impactful systems.