The SHINE Annual National Networking Event 2025: Thurs 15th May   09.00am -15.00pm

This is a free, networking event for schools who are members of the SHINE network and Local Authority associates. This event provides an opportunity to bring the network together once a year to share practice and shape the future developments of the SHINE network together. We are delighted to present the theme and confirmed programme for 2025 below:

“The social media generation – how can health research support adults’ understanding of children and adolescents’ health wellbeing in a culture alien to their own upbringing?”

09.00 - 09.30    Registration and refreshments

09.30 - 09.40    Welcome address – Dawn Haughton, SHINE Network Manager Bio

09.40 - 10.10    Keynote speaker

“Tweens, teens and screens”, Dr Jo Inchley, Reader, University of Glasgow, Co-Director of SHINE Bio

Setting the national and international research scene regarding social media usage among young people and its impact on young people’s health and wellbeing, this presentation will share the latest findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Study.

10.10 - 10.50    Sharing practice 1

“Managing screens in the school setting”, Interactive workshop 

Round table discussions regarding smart phone and social media policies in schools and Local Authorities. This will be the first practice sharing session of the day, in which delegates will be able to discuss with each other what works, explore challenges and successes and share future plans and/or results after related policy changes in their educational setting.

10.50 - 11.10    Refreshments

11.10 - 12.10    Research Results carousel: – A focus on sleep intervention research

Anecdotally, there have been many suggestions that social media usage impacts negatively on the duration & quality of young people’s sleep. Three researchers, who have conducted recent studies related to sleep, will share how their projects have advanced understanding of young people’s sleep habits, night-time device usage and the impact on mental health and wellbeing.

1.         “Eyes Wide Open”, Dr Cat Ewart, PhD student, University of Glasgow

This presentation will reveal the results from this photovoice project, which involved young people, teachers and parents/ carers in this exploration of attitudes to sleep and its impact on mental health and wellbeing.

2.      “AMBIENT-Teens Sleep Study”, Ms Lorna Caddick, Research Assistant, Edinburgh University

This presentation will share the results of the AMBIENT-Teens Sleep Study revealing what has been learned from remotely measured sleep data in terms of young people’s changing routines and behaviour and how the young people responded to seeing their own sleep data

3.         “CLOCK OFF: A Feasibility Study of A Peer-Led Intervention to Reduce Night-Time Use of Interactive Electronic Devices and Social Media”, Dr Anne Martin, Research Fellow, University of Glasgow Bio

This presentation will provide an overview of the CLOCK OFF feasibility study, challenges and lessons learnt. CLOCK OFF was a 6–8-week school-based intervention combining teacher-led lessons and peer-nominated students trained as Peer Supporters to promote healthy sleep habits and reduce interactive electronic device and social media. CLOCK OFF was implemented with S1 year groups of four Scottish schools during 2024.

12.10 - 12.40    Sharing Practice 2 - School Case study:

“Using health research data and interventions effectively in the school setting”, Jill Lothian, Headteacher & Colette Curran, PT Health and Wellbeing, Kelso HS

Kelso High School share their experience of integrating health data and research interventions into their literacy programme for the S1 year group. A member of SHINE since 2019, this presentation documents the opportunities provided by the school/research partnership to use the SHINE mental health survey and participate in the CLOCK OFF sleep study.

12.45 - 13.30    Lunch

13.30 - 14.00   Sharing practice 3 - Local Authority Case Study

“Targeting the health and wellbeing of the year groups most impacted by COVID using the SHINE data reports” Emma Powell, Principal Educational Psychologist, Aberdeen City Council & Dr Samantha Ofili, Research Associate, SHINE team, University of Glasgow

Following four years of SHINE data collection across all primary and secondary schools in Aberdeen City Council, it has been possible to track the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of P6 to S6 year groups over time. This presentation shares the learning from this valuable research partnership.  Emma will set the context for the work conducted in Aberdeen City Council, followed by Sam, who will present the data tracking one year group's mental health and wellbeing over 4 years. Emma will then provide a school case study featuring the  work of Aberdeen Grammar School.

14.00 - 14.20   ABSAIL (Addressing Barriers to School Attendance to Improve Long-term outcomes)

“The ABSAIL project – what have we learned so far and where next?” Bethan Malley, Research Assistant, University of Glasgow

This presentation will share learning from the ABSAIL project which aims to identify ways to improve health, social and educational outcomes for young people experiencing EBSNA ( Emotionally-Based School Non-Attendance) by exploring the issues from a school and family/young person perspective and looking at what can be done by schools (and related services) to better support young people who are affected.

14.20 - 14. 50   Keynote speaker

“Introducing mental health and wellbeing promoting resources for young people in schools: A focus on future thinking and how to optimise it!” Dr Jala Rizeq, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of Glasgow Bio

The presentation will focus on young people’s future thinking, its characteristics and functions and why it matters in relation to their wellbeing and mental health. This will then lead into a discussion around a new collaborative initiative focussed on developing a workbook resource for use in schools, which introduces a set of interactive scenarios with prompts and strategies to help optimise future thinking and support young people’s engagement with schools, while promoting positive wellbeing. This is an opportunity for conference participants to inform and strengthen partnerships between schools and professionals to tackle current challenges facing young people in schools.

14.50 -15.00    Closing remarks Dawn Haughton, SHINE Network Manager