I am delighted to invite you to read our newsletter - Issue 22. As is the usual practice, this edition includes a
range of information and updates which I trust you will find informative. Do take the opportunity to share the
newsletter with others.
Post our Annual Social Work and Social Care Conference which is hosted on 8th March 2023, we would like to
bring you an update as soon as possible after the day. This we do in this edition of the newsletter.
Having hosted annual virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022, it was with enthusiasm and relish that delegates
engaged in our face-to-face event at Belfast Castle. Whilst we do not have any electronic recording this year,
the atmosphere was electric.
'There was such a buzz around the place. And such evident commitment to the profession supporting
research and evidence and that, in turn, impacts on direct practice'.
'There was a great atmosphere, interesting and varied range of presentations'
'The birthday cake was delicious too" "a great additional treat to mark the day that it was' …..
'And we weren't counting the number of slices that individuals said they had eaten - proof of the pudding….
This alluded to the fact that this was our 10th Anniversary of hosting the Annual Research Conference in
Northern Ireland, which called for a bit of a celebration. Whilst Belfast Castle in recent years has become
synonymous with the research conference, our first conference in 2013 was hosted in Riddel Hall, Queen's
University Belfast an ideal and iconic venue also. Founded in 1913 as a residence for female students at QUB
thanks to a donation of £25,000 by Eliza and Isabella Riddel.
The ten years was in fact acknowledged by Professor John Devaney, formerly of QUB but now at Edinburgh
University. John had spoken at our first event but noted our event via colleagues and social media. He
generously emailed to say.
'I see that today is the tenth social work and social care research conference - very well done by all in
Northern Ireland on maintaining the event through some very challenging times, and upholding the quality of
the presentations.
The quality of the key note presentations and small group and poster presentations, delivered on the day did
indeed reflects the quality referred to by John in his email.
*Find more information on page 5