Children and young people matter. Understanding their lives, circumstances and the issues that are important to them is central to our research. So too is identifying how such knowledge can improve policy and practice. The Centre for Children and Young People located in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University, conducts research on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people (0-25 years) in the key contexts in which they live their lives – family, school and community. Children and young people’s views and experiences are central to the research that we do, why we do it and how it is approached.