About Us
The Centre for Youth Research and Dialogue was established by the Community Youth Work team at Ulster University in 2021. The aim of the Centre is to conduct and share youth research as a means of enhancing evidence informed practice. We are committed to knowledge exchange and to bridging the gap between policy and practice development. Priority interests lie in addressing inclusion, youth participation and diversity in local, national and global affairs impacting on the lives of young people.
We aim to:
- Conduct research that enhances knowledge, practice, and policy in Community Youth Work through academic writing, collaborative sectoral partnership approaches and through, our students’ learning experiences and the support of early career MSc and PhD research supervision.
- Collaborate across the disciplines of social sciences, education, and health to share multi-disciplinary interests and research expertise.
- Disseminate research findings beyond academic circles into the wider community and voluntary sector, civic society, and government.
- Demonstrate impact by highlighting how research activity crosses disciplines and finds creative solutions for real world problems.
- Share our work to local, regional, and the international community of scholars and practitioners through seminars, conference and the publication of our research.
Our research interests falls into the following themes:
- Youth Work Policy and Practice
- Politics, Social Justice and Social Action
- Formal and Informal Education
- Oppressive Approaches to Working within Diverse Societies
- Health and Wellbeing
- Peace and Peace-building
- Faith based youth work and youth ministry
- Gender and Sexualities
Our People
PhD Researchers
Andrew Hamilton (PhD)
- Study Area: Peacebuilding and Community Youth Work
- 1st Supervisor: Professor Kris Lasslett
- 2nd Supervisor: Dr Mark Hammond, Elizabeth McArdle