About the project
Empowering young men through student-led solutions to contemporary challenges.
In the face of rising political polarisation, online radicalisation, and growing concerns around young men’s mental health, the Male Students Solving Their Own Problems project puts Westminster’s male students at the heart of the solution.
This student co-produced initiative addresses the challenges male students face—including feeling undervalued, struggling with mental health, and pressures amplified by social media. By engaging young men in empathetic, creative, and accessible ways, the project breaks away from outdated narratives of "masculinity in crisis" to foster positive male identities and real change.
Key Components
- Male Student Organising Panel: Around 10 students from across the University co-lead the project, ensuring relevance and resonance.
- Modern Masculinity Conference: A one-day, student-led public event featuring progressive speakers exploring themes such as positive masculinity, mental health, relationships, and tackling misogyny.
- ‘Solve a Problem’ Mentoring Initiative: A pioneering Single Session Therapy (SST) programme designed with students, delivering practical, solution-focused support to male students.
The project not only improves wellbeing and engagement but also contributes to Westminster’s Athena Swan Silver Accreditation and an upcoming book on modern masculinity—extending impact throughout the university and beyond.
Funding body
Quintin Hogg Trust
Investigators
- Damien Ridge
- Chantal Gautier
- Tina Cartwright