Hannah Millar

Hannah Millar is a Research Fellow in Young People’s Participation at the University of Bedfordshire’s Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR). She transitioned from grassroots youth work to academic research, emphasizing participatory methods and systemic analysis. Her roles include leading projects like the Contextual Safeguarding Scale Up in London boroughs and co-producing the first young people’s contextual safeguarding podcast. She holds an MA in Critical Media and Cultural Studies (SOAS) and an MA in French and Politics (University of Glasgow).

Millar’s research focuses on participatory approaches with marginalized youth, including care-experienced young people and those involved with criminal justice systems. Key projects address structural harms, youth participation in safeguarding, and multi-agency responses to exploitation. She co-authored chapters in the book Contextual Safeguarding: The Next Chapter and contributed to policy briefs such as the Tackling Child Exploitation Practice Principles.

Her work prioritizes authentic youth voice integration, challenging systemic injustices through creative dissemination like podcasts and artistic collaborations. She collaborates with statutory services, voluntary organizations, and communities to develop actionable insights for safeguarding and policy reform.