social and policy research institute - University of Ulster

3. Social Policy & Social Work Research
Social Policy and Social Work
While much attention during 2007-08 was focussed on the preparation for the 2008 RAE SPRI members in this Unit
of Assessment continued their high level of research activities. Paul Carmichael organised the Annual Conference
of the Public Administration Committee in September 2007 with over 100 delegates. Keynote speakers included
Sir Hugh Orde (Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland) and Mr Edward Goldenberg (former
advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister). Colin Knox and Paul Carmichael continued work on their ESRC funded
study concerned with the impact of their original research project also funded by the ESRC on the Review of
Public Administration. The full report ‘Modernising Local Government in Northern Ireland’ can be found at:
www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk. Gordon Marnoch commenced work on his Fellowship, which is part of the ESRC’s Public
Services Programme concerned with the use made of health-related performance indicators by parliamentarians.
Deirdre Heenan was awarded an ESRC Placement Fellowship for the academic year 2008-09 to investigate
access to services in rural areas especially in relation to older people. The placement Fellowship means that she
will be working closely with researchers based in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister. Bob Osborne
was awarded an extension to his Leverhulme Fellowship to study the implementation of employment equity
policies in Canada, Northern Ireland and Britain and completed his study of ‘Attitudes Towards Higher Education
funded by DEL. The report is available at: http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/publications/r-and-s-stats/research-reports-2/
afterschool.htm He was invited to address the Parnell Summer School on the theme of ‘Education, the Conflict
and the Peace Process.’ Mark Bailey completed a study double or single quotes and caps for main words
Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, February 2008 (with M. F. Smyth). The report is available at:
http://www.niaur.gov.uk/news/view/utility_regulator_publishes_paper_on_elasticity_of_demand_for_electricity
Following studies about counselling people after the Omagh bomb, Michael Duffy has been invited to speak at a number
of prestige international events (Copenhagen, Chicago) in relation to the treatment of victims of trauma and torture.
Brian Taylor (together with co-grant holder Brendan McCormack, Professor of Nursing Research) has completed
a project to develop, pilot and prepare for implementation a Single Assessment Tool for the health and social care
needs of older people in Northern Ireland, funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
John Offer was invited to join the Editorial Board of Sociology citation of jnls needs to be consistent and began work
on the creation of a ‘Spencer Archive’. His overall work on Spencer has been supported by a further Award from the
British Academy. Vani Borooah became an elected Fellow of the Royal Irish Academy and served on the Development
Studies Panel of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Pat McGregor was awarded a grant ‘Predicting Short Run
Changes in Fertility in Northern Ireland’ by the RDO in full and ESRC. Sile O’Connor continued her comparative
analysis of convergence in socio-economic policy in the European Union and her collaborative work on convergence
in health policy in the Balkans. She is in the second year of a three year collaboration on a project funded by the
Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada. Siddiq Osmani gave invited lectures in Oslo and Dhaka and has
been invited to be guest editor of the Journal of Human Development in 2009.
A wide range of seminars was held during the academic year. The Annual Lecture was given by Professor Brian
Nolan of UCD whose presentation was entitled ‘Poverty and Social Exclusion in the EU’. Other seminar presenters
included Ms Anne Harrup from the Joseph Rowntree Trust, Professor Ruth Ledwich from Kent State University in
Ohio, Professor Fred Powell from University College Cork, Alan Trench, University of Edinburgh, Professor Bob
Deacon, Sheffield University, Dr Rogelio Alonso, University of Madrid and Professor Bill Hunter, University of Ontario
Institute of Technology. A full day’s workshop organised by Michael Duffy was held on Cognitive Therapy during the
year. Other seminars held under the Canadian Studies banner are recorded elsewhere in this report.
Dr Brent Never (University of Illinois, Springfield) was a Visiting Fulbright scholar during the Autumn semester and
he presented a seminar on his research undertaken during his time with SPRI concerning the role of voluntary
organisations in the Holy Cross School controversy.
Canadian Studies Research Programme
Since its establishment in 2006 the Canadian Studies Research Programme has led the Social and Policy Research
Institute’s international activities so encouraging excellent relations with Canadian academics and research teams. The
institute’s work on Canada has once again been supported by the Government of Canada through its Canadian Studies
Development Program. Further research has been funded too by the Government of Canada and the Foundation
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