Alison Douthwaite is a qualitative education researcher at the University of Bath with expertise in NEET prevention, youth engagement and early school leaving. She has significant experience in translating research insights into practical, actionable strategies and digital tools for practitioners and policymakers. As co-founder of Connected Belonging, she has developed, piloted and validated an innovative measure of belonging for schools and launched the web platform www.connectedbelonging.co.uk to facilitate access to the team’s toolkits and resources. She delivers commissioned and funded training on NEET prevention to Local Authorities, Education and Careers organisations.

Ceri Brown is Professor of Childhood, Inclusion and Education Policy at the University of Bath. She is an expert in child-centred qualitative research examining how education supports belonging, inclusion, wellbeing and the prevention of NEET outcomes. Brown developed the Connected Belonging framework, the programme Theory of Change and the CBQ underpinning the proposed intervention and will therefore provide scientific leadership in interpreting and refining these throughout the project . Her research has informed policy and practice in England, Jersey and across Europe through sustained partnerships with schools, colleges, local authorities and national organisations.