Profiles
Michelle Mills
Education Researcher (Sports for Development)
Michelle is an education researcher with UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, focused on qualitative research for the Time to Teach and Sport for Development Projects. She has worked with the UN on a range of issues related to children’s schooling: from child labour in agriculture and youth employment at FAO and ILO, to her previous experience at Innocenti, where she led the research translation and dissemination of cash transfer programming in Africa. Michelle also has classroom teaching and field experience working directly with students, parents, teachers, and communities to improve learning outcomes and empower children. Michelle holds an MA from Stanford University in International Education Administration and Policy Analysis.
Publications
Publication
Winning the Game: How Sport for Development supports the psychological well-being of adolescent refugees
In 2022, UNHCR estimated that 103 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide; in the same year, UNICEF further reported that 37 million of those displaced were children. Children and adolescents are more likely to have specific needs and vulnerabilities within the broader refugee population, which may affect their psychological well-being. In view of this, UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight and the Barça Foundation teamed up to investigate how Sport for Development (S4D) can be a positive intervention in the lives of refugee adolescents. The mixed-methods study was conducted in 2022 in two locations in Greece: Athens and the island of Lesvos, capturing the mental health profile of adolescent refugees (ages 11-19) and the key mechanisms of an S4D programme that may influence their psychological well-being. It builds upon previous research jointly carried out by the two organizations, providing key insights to improve the effectiveness of S4D programming (especially programmes that engage with young refugee populations), as well as recommendations for governments and donors that support S4D.
Publication
What does SEA-PLM 2019 tell us about child well-being and learning in six Southeast Asian countries?
Through quantitative analysis of the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019 database, along with an investigation of policy implications and promising practices, this report advocates for increased coordination across cross-sectoral government institutions; increased school, parental and community support for children’s development; and providing a platform for children’s voices to understand their perspectives and needs.