INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Market Research (Pty) Ltd (BMR) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) established the Youth Research Unit (YRU) in 2008, in response to an identified need for applied youth research. Since its inception, the YRU@BMR has established itself as a recognised research unit contributing to a better understanding of psychosocial issues impacting the behaviour and well-being of young people.

The YRU@BMR strives to deliver actionable research information and enlighten policymakers, organisations, and the broader society. This is achieved by engaging young people and working collaboratively with key stakeholders including government, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, research institutes, and the private sector, both in South Africa and internationally.

The YRU@BMR has established extensive global research and support networks and work closely with internationally renowned child protection and youth development organisations.

Vision

To create positive change in society through conducting scientific research and engaging with the youth.

RESEARCH FOCUS AREA

Since its inception, the research focus of the YRU@BMR has been on psychosocial issues impacting the behaviour and well-being of young people. The key research focus areas address complex challenges faced by young people and include:

• substance abuse
• bullying
• school-based violence
• sexual exploitation of children (both offline and online)
• online behaviour and safety

The aim of the YRU@BMR is to provide high-impact research information to inform policies and practices and promote the protection and development of young people.

Recent YRU@BMR research reports:

• 2020 – School-Based Violence in South Africa: An Explorative Study among Learners and Educators in Secondary Schools in Gauteng (Technical Report). Research Report 502 MORE INFORMATION
• 2017 – Exposure to Online Sexual Content among Secondary School Learners in Gauteng (Technical Report). Research Report No 479 – MORE INFORMATION
• 2017 – Drug Use and Alcohol Consumption among Secondary School Learners in Gauteng (Technical Report). Research Report No 480 – MORE INFORMATION
• 2017 – Nature, Extent and Impact of Bullying among Secondary School Learners in Gauteng (Technical Report). Research Report No 482 – MORE INFORMATION
• 2015 – Compulsive cellular phone lifestyles of secondary school learners in Gauteng by D.H. Tustin. Research Report No 466 – MORE INFORMATION
• 2015 – Drug use and alcohol consumption among secondary school learners in Gauteng, 2014 (Technical Report) by A. Basson and D.H. Tustin. Research Report No 458 – MORE INFORMATION