Research image of the month - a ripple of understanding

This month’s research image of the month (July 2025) encapsulates Carys Jennings' research on how children experience happiness, particularly in a school setting. Carys discusses the importance of listening to children and the insight we can gain from their experiences.

In Carys’s own words…

“The image I submitted to ‘sum up’ my work captures a moment of curiosity — a child’s hand reaching down to touch a puddle, creating ripples across the still water. This simple yet powerful act speaks volumes. And I feel it reflects the essence of my research: young children actively engaging with the world around them, expressing emotion, testing boundaries, and discovering their place in the spaces they inhabit, especially within school environments.

"My work is focussed on the voices of children aged 3 to 7, exploring how they understand and experience happiness in school. It investigates what truly makes them happy and how those moments manifest in their day-to-day lives and learning environments. By giving children the space and tools to share their thoughts, through drawings, conversations, photos, and artwork, my research aims to deepen our understanding of their wellbeing and, crucially, how educators can better respond to it.

"Before moving into academia, I worked as an Early Years practitioner in a primary school. I’ve now been a teacher educator for almost two decades, and my academic journey has always been grounded in Early Years education. Both my Master’s and my Professional Doctorate focus on themes central to young children’s emotional and social development. I chose this image because it symbolises a child’s innate curiosity and ability to impact their environment. When the child touches the water, they create a ripple and that’s what I hope my research achieves: to amplify the ripples made by young children when we truly listen to them.

"The impact of this work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 12 ‘the right to express views in matters affecting them’ and Article 13 ‘the freedom to express themselves in different ways’. My research ensures that children’s voices are heard and valued, positioning them as capable citizens and reminding us that their insights can contribute meaningfully to educational practices.

"This work aligns closely with The Open University’s mission to be open to people, places, and ideas by championing inclusivity and giving a platform to one of the most often-overlooked groups in research: very young children.

"Being selected for Research Image of the Month is deeply meaningful to me. It tells me that the image, and perhaps the research behind it, has resonated with others — that the story of children’s happiness isn’t too simplistic after all. Instead, it’s a vital part of understanding how we educate, care for, and value our youngest learners.”