E10 Part 2: Youth SRHR in Island, Remote and Rural Spaces

In Part 2 of this episode, Open University researcher Elizabeth Ascroft invites guests Ashlee Beatrice-Burnett, Dr Rebecah MacGilleEathain and Isabel Steele to explore youth sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in rural and island communities. This conversation explores the strategies for working in collaboration with communities in for the enhancement of SRHR. Drawing from their own work, the guest speakers discuss taking a whole-school approach to sexuality education, innovative contraceptive delivery services and online support platforms for young people. The guests also delve into the dynamics of being an ‘insider’ versus an ‘outsider’ in research initiatives or programme delivery services. Ultimately, the discussion emphasises the significance of creating safe spaces for youth engagement, and the necessity of destigmatizing conversations around sexual health.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• ⁠Sexual well-being among young people in remote rural island communities in Scotland: a mixed methods study | BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health⁠
• ⁠Cool2Talk⁠
• ⁠Famia Planea Aruba⁠

Biographies

⁠Elizabeth Ascroft⁠ is an ESRC-funded doctoral researcher at the Open University in partnership with Famia Planea Aruba and IPPF. Her current research explores ⁠arts-based, co-creative approaches⁠ to sexuality education with young people in Aruba, and her previous work ⁠investigated gender violence and sexuality education in Barbados.⁠ With a focus on small island contexts, Elizabeth’s research considers how the concept of ‘islandness’ moulds SRHR discourses in the international development sector. Elizabeth is a keen bean for learning and is most inspired when in a room with other activists, researchers and creatives working in the advancement of young people’s SRHR.

⁠Ashlee Burnett⁠ is a Trinbagonian educator, organiser, and researcher, serving as ⁠IPPF’s⁠ Global Lead on Comprehensive Sexuality Education; leading on CSE partnerships, evidence generation, and supporting MA-led initiatives like the Centre of Excellence on CSE to deliver innovative programmes and youth-centred care. She holds an MSc Education Policy and International Development from the University of Bristol and has been awarded the Colin Robinson Hard Head Award fortransformational activism in Trinidad and Tobago. Socials: ⁠Instagram⁠ and⁠ X⁠

Dr Rebecah MacGilleEathain is a Senior Specialist Lead at the ⁠National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care⁠, hosted by National Health Service (NHS) Education for Scotland. Rebecah has a background in working within PublicHealth and Heath Improvement in clinical, third sector and academic research settings. Rebecah’s specialist research subject focuses on reproductive and sexual health, sex education curriculum in schools, and access to sexual wellbeing support for underrepresented communities and young people in remote, rural and island areas.

Isabel Steele is a Senior Health Improvement Office in the ⁠Public Health Department of the National Health Service (NHS) Western Isles⁠. She is local to the Outer Hebrides and has lived there most of her life and has worked with young people for over 35 years. She has been employed by the NHS in the Western Isles for 30 years in various roles around sexual health, Blood Born Viruses, young people and substance misuse. She has gained her MSc in Health Improvement & Public Health and enjoys engaging in learning and research around issues that affect young people. She is very passionate about young people’s rights and supports the principles of the UNCRC to ensure that children & young people have the information they need to keep themselves safe.