*The quotes in this issue are from delegates at the 9th Annual Northern Ireland Research Conference is March
The local organising committee at the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and
Law (FASSL), Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences need to be
acknowledged for doing an amazing job developing an innovative and creative
programme and looking after the needs of so many delegates and speakers to
ensure that everyone had a positive, enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
The themes as noted above were reflected throughout all the sessions
especially the keynote addresses and small oral presentations. Issues facing
refugees and migration, diversity, inclusion and exclusion, older people;
disability issues unemployment digital assets and digital inequalities,
safeguarding and protection in abuse situations; neighbourhoods and
community were amongst the themes explored through research. The current
situation in Ukraine was very much on people's minds but also the many other countries where people are
involuntarily displaced from their homes, their lives and families their networks and their livelihoods. Other
sessions on teaching methods, creativity in student learning, reflection in professional practice, and
creativity of arts offered excellent examples of good practice and ideas.
As in previous years we are delighted that Northern Ireland was fully represented with delegates and
presenters of various oral presentations, Special Interest Groups' presenters and presenters at various
synopsis. Representation came from Ulster University, Queen's University, and The Open University, the
statutory and voluntary sector including users and carers (and some ex QUB colleagues now at
Edinburgh). Likewise our colleagues from many universities across Ireland ensured that messages about
research from Northern Ireland and ROI are recognised as relevant across Europe.
We were delighted to host our first in person Evidence into Practice Special Interest Group pre conference
work shop and business meeting. Brian Taylor and Anne McGlade launched this new group at last years
on line conference hosted by colleagues in Bucharest. I have reported the role and function of this group
in previous Newsletters. We are delighted that Sigrid James has been nominated as convenor and Anne
McGlade co convenor. If interested in finding out more contact me on anne.mcglade@hscbi.net.
Special Interest Groups are an important part of the association ESWRA and operate throughout the year.
The conference is however an important arena to further network to discuss issues of importance. Over
twenty Special Interest Groups exist with Decisions Assessment, Risk and Evidence DARESIG now
convened by Andrew Whittaker and Campbell Killick was formerly convened by Brian Taylor UU - one of
the fore runners and leaders in this area.
Other colleagues from NI and ROI play key roles in convening and supporting these special interest
groups. In other editions of this newsletter, if there are key messages or actions from these SIGs that
colleagues who are involved would like to share do forward these details to the contact details on this
newsletter - I am sure others would be interested in finding out more also.
The Editors of the New ESWRA journal European Social Work (Lars Uggerhaj, Brian Taylor, Ana Sobocan
and Elaine Sharland) hosted the inaugural launch as a part of the conference. This is a creative and
innovative element of the association and aimed at supporting the wider dissemination of evidence from
the Conference in forth coming years. (See page 13 of this newsletter for more details).
You will find details about the conference on:
https://www.ecswr2022.org/about
Anne McGlade