Tackling and transforming harmful gendered norms and behaviours
Tackling and transforming harmful gendered norms and behaviours
Tackling and transforming harmful gendered norms and behaviours
This toolkit provides trained facilitators with honest guidance and practical support about how to hold discussion groups with men about gender, friendships, sex and relationships, and developing healthy versions of masculinities.
This toolkit provides trained facilitators with honest guidance and practical support about how to hold discussion groups with men about gender, friendships, sex and relationships, and developing healthy versions of masculinities.
The #Men4Change toolkit is a workshop resource for youth leaders, activists and other professionals who work with young men to reflect on issues relating to gender, masculinity and what it means to be a man in the UK today. The resource further encourages young men to explore how harmful gendered norms and behaviours can be tackled in ways that aim to benefit themselves, their peer groups and communities.
The #Men4Change toolkit is a workshop resource for youth leaders, activists and other professionals who work with young men to reflect on issues relating to gender, masculinity and what it means to be a man in the UK today. The resource further encourages young men to explore how harmful gendered norms and behaviours can be tackled in ways that aim to benefit themselves, their peer groups and communities.
The toolkit was developed by Dr Craig Haslop (principal investigator) and Dr Fiona O’Rourke (lead author) in 2023 and in consultation with UK community-based stakeholders – Metro, Beyond Equality and Survivors Network. It emerged from a three-year research ESRC funded project - #Lads on social media: Investigating Young Networked Masculinities. Researchers spoke directly to young people (18- to 25-year-olds) in all four countries of the UK about how they view identities, masculinity and ‘lad cultures’ in both online and offline spaces.
Download the #Men4Change Toolkit
Download the #Men4Change Toolkit
Download the #Men4Change Toolkit
The toolkit consists of 4 core sections:
Gender, identity and society
Masculinity, young men and friendships
Gender, sexuality and relationships
Men, masculinity, health and well-being
There is also an introductory workshop, facilitators notes and icebreakers.
Each workshop has key messages, a materials list and support for how to prepare for the session. Estimated timings and group size recommendations are also provided.
The toolkit consists of 4 core sections:
Gender, identity and society
Masculinity, young men and friendships
Gender, sexuality and relationships
Men, masculinity, health and well-being
There is also an introductory workshop, facilitators notes and icebreakers.
Each workshop has key messages, a materials list and support for how to prepare for the session. Estimated timings and group size recommendations are also provided.
Our Research Team
Our Research Team
Dr Craig Haslop
Academic Lead
University of Liverpool
Dr Craig Haslop
Academic Lead
University of Liverpool
Dr Craig Haslop
Academic Lead
University of Liverpool
Prof. Carolyn Jackson
Co-Lead
Lancaster University
Prof. Carolyn Jackson
Co-Lead
Lancaster University
Prof. Carolyn Jackson
Co-Lead
Lancaster University
Dr Fiona O'Rourke
Lead Author
University of Liverpool
Dr Fiona O'Rourke
Lead Author
University of Liverpool
Dr Fiona O'Rourke
Lead Author
University of Liverpool
Angharad Morgan
Research Assistant
University of Liverpool
Angharad Morgan
Research Assistant
University of Liverpool
Angharad Morgan
Research Assistant
University of Liverpool
Richie Benson
Beyond Equality
Richie Benson
Beyond Equality
Richie Benson
Beyond Equality
Dr Daniel Guinness
Beyond Equality
Dr Daniel Guinness
Beyond Equality
Dr Daniel Guinness
Beyond Equality
Maximising and Measuring the Impact of the #Men4Change Toolkit
Maximising and Measuring the Impact of the #Men4Change Toolkit
Academics stress the need to engage young men in training that links lad culture to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) (Jackson & Sundaram, 2020). The #Men4Change toolkit, funded by ESRC, is a workshop-based resource designed to raise young men’s (18-25) awareness of these issues, with a focus on digital spaces. Launched in 2023, it is already being used by various organisations.
This project, in collaboration with Beyond Equality and Lancaster University, aims to expand the toolkit’s impact by developing a model for cascading training in universities and sports organisations. It will also assess the toolkit’s effectiveness in tackling SGBV, aligning with UKRI’s goal of fostering resilience and wellbeing.
The toolkit stems from the ESRC-funded #LadCulture project (2018-2021), which examined how ‘laddish’ masculinity operates in digital spaces and its links to misogyny and homophobia. Research highlighted how private group chats facilitate harmful behaviours, such as non-consensual image sharing and misogynistic ‘banter’ (O’Rourke and Haslop, 2024). These findings informed the toolkit, which helps young men critically reflect on masculinity norms and enact positive change.
Initial uptake of the toolkit has been promising, with organisations like KIP Education, Scottish Student Sport, and the University of Liverpool integrating it into their training. However, expanding its reach and measuring its long-term impact is crucial for sustained societal change.
Academics stress the need to engage young men in training that links lad culture to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) (Jackson & Sundaram, 2020). The #Men4Change toolkit, funded by ESRC, is a workshop-based resource designed to raise young men’s (18-25) awareness of these issues, with a focus on digital spaces. Launched in 2023, it is already being used by various organisations.
This project, in collaboration with Beyond Equality and Lancaster University, aims to expand the toolkit’s impact by developing a model for cascading training in universities and sports organisations. It will also assess the toolkit’s effectiveness in tackling SGBV, aligning with UKRI’s goal of fostering resilience and wellbeing.
The toolkit stems from the ESRC-funded #LadCulture project (2018-2021), which examined how ‘laddish’ masculinity operates in digital spaces and its links to misogyny and homophobia. Research highlighted how private group chats facilitate harmful behaviours, such as non-consensual image sharing and misogynistic ‘banter’ (O’Rourke and Haslop, 2024). These findings informed the toolkit, which helps young men critically reflect on masculinity norms and enact positive change.
Initial uptake of the toolkit has been promising, with organisations like KIP Education, Scottish Student Sport, and the University of Liverpool integrating it into their training. However, expanding its reach and measuring its long-term impact is crucial for sustained societal change.
Project Aims
Project Aims
Develop a train-the-trainer programme at Lancaster University, using the #Men4Change toolkit to engage student men’s groups (e.g., sports clubs).
Develop a train-the-trainer programme at Lancaster University, using the #Men4Change toolkit to engage student men’s groups (e.g., sports clubs).
Measure the impact of training on professional practices and young men’s awareness of harmful masculinity norms linked to SGBV.
Measure the impact of training on professional practices and young men’s awareness of harmful masculinity norms linked to SGBV.
Measurable Outcomes
Measurable Outcomes
Train 10 student leaders as #Men4Change facilitators.
Train 10 student leaders as #Men4Change facilitators.
Cascade training to 100 first-year male students through 10 workshops.
Cascade training to 100 first-year male students through 10 workshops.
Survey 110 participants before, after, and three months post-training to assess awareness and willingness to change harmful norms.
Survey 110 participants before, after, and three months post-training to assess awareness and willingness to change harmful norms.
Interview 15 participants for in-depth feedback on workshop impact.
Interview 15 participants for in-depth feedback on workshop impact.
Generate 100 new toolkit downloads via a dedicated website featuring impact research results.
Generate 100 new toolkit downloads via a dedicated website featuring impact research results.
Testimonials
Testimonials
KIP Education Services LTD
More Coming Soon…
“I’ve been using the #Men4Change toolkit within my work with young people, particularly in workshops focused on gender equality, identity, and respectful relationships. I’ve found the toolkit to be an incredibly wellstructured, thoughtful resource, particularly its emphasis on participatory and reflective learning. The sessions on “Stepping Out of the Man Box” and “Sexist Banter – Where Do You Draw the Line?” have resonated deeply with the young men I work with. These sessions open honest and necessary conversations.
One insight I’d share is how helpful the group agreement and grounding activities have been in establishing a safe space – especially when tackling sensitive subjects like masculinity, online behaviours, and consent. A challenge, however, has been managing initial resistance from some participants who may feel defensive – but the toolkit provides excellent facilitation guidance for navigating this with care.”
KIP Education Services LTD
Charlotte Gordon
KIP Education Services LTD
“I’ve been using the #Men4Change toolkit within my work with young people, particularly in workshops focused on gender equality, identity, and respectful relationships. I’ve found the toolkit to be an incredibly wellstructured, thoughtful resource, particularly its emphasis on participatory and reflective learning. The sessions on “Stepping Out of the Man Box” and “Sexist Banter – Where Do You Draw the Line?” have resonated deeply with the young men I work with. These sessions open honest and necessary conversations.
One insight I’d share is how helpful the group agreement and grounding activities have been in establishing a safe space – especially when tackling sensitive subjects like masculinity, online behaviours, and consent. A challenge, however, has been managing initial resistance from some participants who may feel defensive – but the toolkit provides excellent facilitation guidance for navigating this with care.”
KIP Education Services LTD
Charlotte Gordon
More Coming Soon...
KIP Education Services LTD
“I’ve been using the #Men4Change toolkit within my work with young people, particularly in workshops focused on gender equality, identity, and respectful relationships. I’ve found the toolkit to be an incredibly wellstructured, thoughtful resource, particularly its emphasis on participatory and reflective learning. The sessions on “Stepping Out of the Man Box” and “Sexist Banter – Where Do You Draw the Line?” have resonated deeply with the young men I work with. These sessions open honest and necessary conversations.
One insight I’d share is how helpful the group agreement and grounding activities have been in establishing a safe space – especially when tackling sensitive subjects like masculinity, online behaviours, and consent. A challenge, however, has been managing initial resistance from some participants who may feel defensive – but the toolkit provides excellent facilitation guidance for navigating this with care.”
KIP Education Services LTD
Charlotte Gordon
More Coming Soon...
Resources and References
Resources and References
OfS report and testimonial confirms influence of Speakout
UUK report and case studies testimonial confirms influence of Speakout
UUK briefing and testimonial confirms influence of Speakout on briefing
Testimonials universities confirming instigation of new safeguarding initiatives as result of Speakout research
Testimonial from Scarisbrick Hall School
Testimonial from Scarisbrick Hall School
Get in touch with the research team behind the project
Get in touch with the research team behind the project
Get in touch with the research team behind the project
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