
19 September 2019
Seven million for research projects on accessibility for play
Play and what excludes children from play are central themes in the research to be carried out within the EU's Horizon 2020 research program. – We will employ two doctoral students in Luleå, as part of a joint project with universities in three other countries, says Maria Prellwitz, assistant professor of occupational therapy at Luleå University of Technology.
It is about play and play environments for children and accessibility, both physically and socially.
– Our project, P4PLAY People, Place, Policy and Practice for Play, has four orientations. It is play as an activity, different places for play and working with play in rehabilitation. In addition, how policies affect the possibility of play, for example guidelines from the state and municipalities, says Maria Prellwitz.
The aim of the research is to develop new knowledge about play and play deprivation and at the same time investigate the effects of physical, socio-cultural and political influence on the opportunities for play. The purpose is also to develop solutions to address what can prevent children from participating in play.
"All children have the right to play"
Research shows that play is crucial to the child's development on many different levels, including social, physical and cognitive.
– All children have the right to play and there should be accessibility for example to playgrounds.
In assessing the application for research funding, points are set.
– It's fun that our application received as high application points, 97, 7 out of one hundred possible. Getting it the first time you apply is said to be unusual.
The research project begins formally on March 1, 2020 and lasts for three years. For Luleå University of Technology, this is about SEK 7 million.
– The doctoral students we employ here in Luleå should not be from Sweden, but they can come from any other country, says Maria Prellwitz.
In the media:
- https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=98&artikel=7302955
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- https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=98&artikel=7302663
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- https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/norrbotten/alla-barn-har-ratt-att-leka
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