Leeds Project Seeks Young Participants for Online Objectification Study

New research aims to understand and address online objectification of girls

A research project based in Leeds is inviting girls aged 16 to 18 to participate in a study examining experiences of online objectification. Led by Dawn Woolley at Leeds Arts University and funded by Include+ (EPSRC), the project collaborates with the local group Getaway Girls to explore how objectifying content affects young people and to develop resources aimed at raising awareness and resilience.

Background and aims

Online objectification, where girls and women are portrayed in a demeaning or sexualised manner, has been identified as one of the top harms faced by females online. This is highlighted in Ofcom’s Online Nation Report 2024, which lists objectifying and demeaning content among the key issues impacting girls and women.

The Leeds-based project seeks to better understand these experiences through a survey and to create an animation that will be shared with young people to help them recognise and respond to such content.

Survey details and participation

• The study plans to survey 150 girls aged 16-18 during February and March 2024.
• Participants will complete questionnaires before and after viewing the animation, with the entire process taking around 15 minutes.
• The questionnaires will assess understanding, attitudes, and behaviours related to objectifying online content.
• The first 150 participants will receive a £5 voucher as a thank you for their time.

The research team hopes that taking part will help participants identify objectifying content and develop personal resilience strategies.

Community involvement and future plans

The project team is seeking support from schools, colleges, and community groups in Leeds to help share the survey with potential participants. They also plan to hold events towards the end of the academic year to share findings with young people and professionals working with them.

There is interest in organising training and sharing sessions with educational and community organisations to further disseminate the research outcomes.

Contact information

Organisations and individuals interested in participating or learning more about the project can contact Dawn Woolley at dawn.woolley@leeds-art.ac.uk.

Source: Doing Good Leeds