Supporting Boys and Young Men in a Changing World

Supporting boys and young men in a changing world

Session Overview

Young men are growing up in a world that is changing faster than ever before. From AI and social media to shifting ideas around masculinity, identity and belonging, today's boys are navigating challenges that previous generations have never experienced.
This interactive session will explore what these changes mean for parents, educators and employers, providing practical insights into how we can better support boys today and prepare them for healthy, successful futures.

The session will combine personal stories, emerging research and practical strategies, with opportunities for audience questions and discussion.

Key Themes

Understanding the world boys are growing up in – exploring the social, technological and cultural influences shaping young men today.

• The importance of positive role models and trusted adults – why boys benefit from having multiple people they can turn to throughout different stages of life.
• AI, digital influence and online identity – understanding both the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies and online communities.
• Supporting boys through key life transitions – from secondary school into university and from education into the workplace.
• Building healthier futures – practical actions parents, educators and employers can take to help young men develop confidence, resilience, empathy and positive relationships.

Audience Takeaways

Attendees will leave with:

• A better understanding of the experiences shaping boys and young men today.
• Practical ideas for supporting positive development and wellbeing.
• Greater awareness of how universities and workplaces can create environments where young men can thrive.
• Increased confidence in having meaningful conversations with young people about identity, belonging and the future.

The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A, moderated by the University of Reading team, allowing participants both in the room and online to explore the topics in greater depth.

About Session Lead

Lee Chambers is the founder and CEO of Male Allies UK. After a diverse career, from corporate finance to building and exiting tech company, he is now focused on supporting organisations to engage men in inclusion and promote effective allyship. He has been featured on the Startups 100 Index, has received a Great British Entrepreneur Award, and sits on the board of CMI Women and the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. In 2024, he received the Freedom of the City of London for services to equality in business.

He is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, an international leader on the impact of AI companions and chatbots on boys, and co-Chair of the Cross Sector Taskforce on Online Misogyny and Men’s Engagement. He is the 2023 UN Women Changemaker of the Year, is an EDI Fellow at the University of East London and is an ambassador for both Refuge and 50:50 Parliament. He is recognised as a global expert on gender equality, allyship and masculinity, having taken the stage at the Women’s Forum and the Bloomberg Global Equality Summit. He is the author of the bestselling book, Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.