We The Curious
The Next Gen Earth programme, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, launched in August 2025 across nine ASDC member organisations. The programme engages young people aged 7–18 from diverse and often underrepresented backgrounds with environmental science, research, and careers.
The projects have focused on youth-led engagements with the aim to understand the barriers for young people from diverse regions considering a future career in NERC research and innovation, and to explore what works to promote agency and ownership in environmental sciences through co-created place-based engagements.
Project vision
To enable the next generation of environmental advocates through creative youth-led engagement with NERC science, research and innovation, championing regional diversity by elevating youth voices across the UK.
Project mission
To co-create inclusive, youth-led programmes that connect young people with environmental science and inspire action and ownership. Leveraging the place-based network of science and discovery centres and museums to amplify diverse regional perspectives and to understand the barriers that prevent young people from accessing and engaging with NERC science, research and innovation.
Delivery partners
Nine delivery partners are each receiving a grant of £9,000 to design a model of equitable youth engagements with NERC science. They are:
- Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)
- Dynamic Earth
- Exeter Science Centre
- National Space Centre
- Oxford University Museum of Natural History
- Royal Botanical Gardens Kew
- Techniquest
- The Eden Project
- Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
Programme timeline
April 2025 - 31st March 2026, with a delivery period of August 2025 - February 2026
Recommended Reading
YESTEM Insight report: How to set up an equitable youth board
NERC Public Dialogue: contemporary issues of environmental science
