Anna Tarrant

@profatarrant.bsky.social

970 followers 630 following 100 posts

Professor of Sociology
UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, Following Young Fathers Further
Chair of Trustees of the North East Young Dads and Lads
Research, education and training about father-inclusive practice and policy

https://followingyoungfathersfurther.org .. more

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Political science 47%

Sociology 37%

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Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · Nov 24

Thought BlueSky could do with a fatherhood starter pack! Message me if youd like an add!

go.bsky.app/4YTr8om

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 4d

💯💯💯

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

An issue here is these data aren’t easily available; data collection on paternity more generally is really flawed and requires more attention. It would be great to see a depth methodological study examining this.

www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/defaul...

www.nuffieldfoundation.org

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks Ros, definitely not a point I was making

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

When we dismiss years of careful research because it lacks a national headcount, we're not being rigorous, we're being reductive.

The question we should be asking isn't just 'How many?' but 'What counts as knowing’?

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

Qualitative research isn't a consolation prize for when we can't get 'real' numbers. It's a different way of knowing; one that captures complexity, context, and meaning that statistics alone cannot provide.

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

The paradox is demanding precise answers to questions we haven't sought to measure. We want to know 'how many' before we ask 'who they are', 'what they need', or 'how we can support them'; letting the absence of one type of data eclipse the presence of another, often more relevant form of knowledge

Reposted by Elizabeth Stokoe

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

This reveals something fundamental about what we've come to accept as evidence in that quantitative data are still being considered the most useful form of evidence that counts; that scale cross nationally is still prioritised over scale temporally.

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

A ten-year programme of qualitative knowledge, rich with insight into young fathers' lived experiences, needs, and perspectives, is deemed insufficient because it can't be reduced to a single quantifiable figure or because the sample size (44 is large for a qual study) is considered inadequate

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

When I explain that we don't collect this data systematically and can only offer estimates, I increasingly watch my research get sidelined (there is an identified Dad Data gap as the The Fatherhood Institute reports).

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

This won't surprise many qualitative researchers but despite spending over a decade conducting extensive qualitative longitudinal research with and for young fathers, the first question from media and government stakeholders is always the same: How many young fathers are there nationally?

Reposted by Elizabeth Stokoe

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 5d

I'm recently noticing a pattern emerging in how my research on young fathers gets received and whether or not it is deemed to ‘count’ and have impact.

A short thread 🧵🧵🧵

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 6d

School of Social & Political Sciences is launching an online short course An Introduction to Supporting Fathers and Male Caregivers led by @profatarrant.bsky.social. 28th January 2026, 09:30 – 12:30, £75 per person. Scan the QR code or email OAS@lincoln.ac.uk.

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 18d

A few thoughts on the BBC Three Forgotten Young Fathers documentary! It was a pleasure to consult with the BBC on the show and to see Joshua of the North East Young Dads and Lads being such a great ambassador as always!

fyff.co.uk/blog/forgott...

Forgotten Young Dads on BBC Three: a must watch! – Following Young Fathers Further

At a time when narratives about fatherhood often centre on older, more established dads, BBC Three's powerful new documentary Forgotten Young Dads is a timely and essential watch. Presented by actor a...

fyff.co.uk

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

fyff.co.uk

Following Young Fathers Further

One-stop research community supporting young fathers

fyff.co.uk

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

Read more about the longest ever running study of young fathers: lnkd.in/ei3NxHuR

Watch and read more about our co-creation content with young fathers of the North East Young Dads and Lads and the Young Dads Collective:
lnkd.in/eAX2Bk6Y
lnkd.in/ehvnSjqv
lnkd.in/eaNDKk5A

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

Joe Swash on Forgotten Young Fathers: lnkd.in/eec-H9wz

Watch tomorrow! lnkd.in/eRA3Wak8

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

The most amazing thing our research consistently shows, is that young dads themselves are the best advocates for them and their children; for celebrating and raising awareness about their fatherhood, addressing stigma and stereotypes, and educating others about how to engage and support them better

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

Yet they feel sidelined or considered a risk when they encounter services and systems that should support them. What we need are father-inclusive services, universal and specialist, that are available nationally. Lack of funding, political apathy and fragmented support systems are hard to resolve.

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

We see just how strong their bonds with their children are. They want to be there for their children but they're doing so while navigating education and employment systems, housing policies, and family support services that weren't designed with them, as young men and as caregivers, in mind.

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · 22d

Tomorrow evening, Joe Swash's documentary 'Forgotten Young Dads', featuring the North East Young Dads and Lads, premiers. In BBC coverage Joe Swash says he felt 'completely unsupported' as a young father, voicing what our research with them has consistently shown over the past decade.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · Sep 9

Wow, thank you so much Lisa!!

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · Sep 8

Thank you Ros!

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · Sep 8

Proud of my School of Social & Political Sciences colleague Professor Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social who has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. This honour reflects her outstanding transformative research. More details are available here: acss.org.uk/news/the-aca...

The Academy of Social Sciences welcomes 63 leading social scientists to its Fellowship this autumn – Academy of Social Sciences

acss.org.uk

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Following Young Fathers Further @followingyff.bsky.social · Aug 6

Authored by @profatarrant.bsky.social,
@drlinziladlow.bsky.social& Dr Laura Way, the chapter explores how young fathers in the UK narrate their experiences and understanding of fathering,fatherhood and co-parenting in the context of recent cultural and generational shifts towards engaged fatherhood

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Following Young Fathers Further @followingyff.bsky.social · Mar 10

You are invited to join us for the Inaugural Lecture of FYFF Director @profatarrant.bsky.social, Professor of Sociology

📅 Wednesday 26th March
🕕 18:00 – 19:00 (registration from 17:30)
📍 University of Lincoln (MB0312)

See full details and register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inaugural-...

Inaugural Lecture: Anna Tarrant

LIAS are delighted to invite you to Professor Anna Tarrant's Inaugural Lecture

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · Mar 26

The issues boys and men navigate are diverse and messy, linked to socioeconomic inequalities, geography and social history.

Blaming absent dads for the crisis of masculinity is too simplistic – many men want to be more involved

The issues boys and men navigate are diverse and messy, linked to socioeconomic inequalities, geography and social history.

tcnv.link

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Following Young Fathers Further @followingyff.bsky.social · Apr 1

📣 New event!

@familypolicyspa.bsky.social is delighted to host @joelib.bsky.social , founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, for a special webinar

📅 Monday 19th May
🕛 12noon-1pm
📍 Zoom

See full details and register for free now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-pol...

Social Policy Association Family Policy Group Webinar: Joeli Brearley

The Family Policy Group of the Social Policy Association is delighted to host Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Following Young Fathers Further @followingyff.bsky.social · May 13

📣 New event

Does the UK have a family policy?

Join @familypolicyspa.bsky.social to explore the evolving relationship between the state and the family, with keynote speaker Professor Mary Daly

📅2nd June
🕙 10am
📍 Zoom

Full details and registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-...

Exploring the Relationship between the State and the Family

Social Policy Association Family Policy Group and rEUsilience Research Project, University of Oxford

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Reposted by Anna Tarrant

Following Young Fathers Further @followingyff.bsky.social · Apr 8

Register now for the @familypolicyspa.bsky.social webinar with @joelib.bsky.social

📅 Monday 19th May
🕛 12noon-1pm
📍 Zoom

See full details and register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-pol...

Anna Tarrant @profatarrant.bsky.social · Jun 16

We offer a sociological and longitudinal analysis of young fathers' mental health trajectories from pregnancy, birth and beyond to highlight the joys and challenges of a stigmatised form of parenthood and one that is sorely under-represented and lacking support.

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