9th Annual Social Work & Social Care
Research Conference
March 2022
Page 2
The criteria, for hosting the conference virtually remained as in previous years - to
be able to offer delegates a variety of quality key note inputs and workshops and
opportunities to present for those who had carried out research to present their
work. Only by presenting and disseminating outcomes with others can we hope
influence practice and policy.
Our theme was:
We are busy but we are interested - so let's proceed.
Managing the challenges of engaging in research and evidence
This was an apt title for the event reflective of the well documented challenges that face organisations,
practitioners and researchers. It was referred to by a number of presenters throughout the day.
Brendan Whittle Director and Catherine Cassidy Deputy Director of Social Care & Children's Directorate
from the HSCB - now Strategic Planning & Performance Group of the Dept. of Health welcomed
delegates who were tuning in locally, nationally and internationally.
Check out the video for the wonderful musical interludes from Shelia Smyth and the Voice of Release
and Edelle McMahon Sundown Sessions. You can listen these interludes again on the video link to
the conference provided in this newsletter.
"I really loved the musical aspect. I found the research
regarding abuse of women with learning disabilities
and music for prisoners and people with dementia to
be very interesting."
"Powerful poetry from an Hydebank College female
inmate. Thank you Sheila for sharing"
Final word
In drawing the event to a close Anne McGlade in thanking everyone, who had
made the day a success including all the chairs of the session who helped keep
the day running according to schedule. She encouraged further engagement by
delegates for whom the event might have triggered "an initial interest and
intellectual curiosity. I hope you can build on that and even use the
Research Community in Northern Ireland that Dr Lisa Bunting referenced in
her presentation".
A huge thank you is however required for those working hard behind the scenes: Andriana
Alkiviadou and Maura Campbell (Social Care and Children's Directorate) and our Communications
colleagues.
The Conference Abstract Committee: Paul Webb (Praxis), Dominic McSherry (Ulster University)
and Karen Bester (Service User). A special note of praise and thanks is also extended to our
technicians from SPARQ, Gary Nelson and his colleagues who kept us right on everything technical
pre, during and post the conference.
"Need to keep connecting
research to practitioners,
service users and those
with their own experiences,
especially regarding the
findings. Closing the
feedback loop is vital."