Understanding the Everyday Nature and Effects of Youth Intergroup Contact in Divided Societies

Around the world, many young people are growing up in ethnically divided societies where opportunities for interaction across group lines are limited—and even when they do exist, they are often not taken up. Drawing on intergroup contact theory, I present findings from a series of studies exploring the nature and effects of youth intergroup contact in socially divided cities in Northern Ireland and England. Working with youth aged 11–18, our study methods include behavioural observations, surveys, participatory photography, focus groups, walking interviews, and ecological momentary assessments with GPS tracking to capture social interactions and mobility patterns. The collective findings reveal both the promise and the challenges of intergroup contact as a tool for prejudice reduction. Observational studies show that simply providing opportunities for contact does not necessarily lead to meaningful engagement in divided societies. However, survey data highlight positive associations between intergroup contact and a range of constructive societal outcomes. Participatory and mapping-based approaches further illustrate the complex psychological and contextual factors that shape young people’s engagement in and experiences of intergroup contact. Taken together, these studies offer theoretical and practical insights into the everyday realities of youth interaction in socially divided contexts.