Research
To maintain the quality of research undertaken within the ICCR, and to facilitate the consolidation and expansion of the available experience, expertise and knowledge within the Institute, there is a need to ensure selectivity in our current and future research plans and, in particular, our attempts to generate additional research income. This is achieved through the development of strategic themes. These themes draw on staff members’ previous and current work undertaken within the Institute, areas of individual expertise, areas of scientific and methodological interest, and identified HPSS research needs that fall within the operational framework of the Institute. The themes serve two discrete functions. The first function is to act as an initial focus for the planning and development of future research activity. Existing research projects within the theme provide the foundation for the development of future studies within the area by evidencing the development of expertise/forming a critical mass and by identifying further key research questions. The second function is as a promotional and information tool highlighting the areas of expertise within the Institute to external research and policy communities. They provide a ready outline of where the Institute interests and expertise lie.
There are four Research Themes
Children in Care of public authorities or adopted
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Expansion & Diversification
Our research programme continues to grow and has recently been enhanced by a number of new studies coming on stream. Furthermore, building on our commitment to research utilization, this year we successfully negotiated the move to the ICCR of the Cochrane / Campbell Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Review Group. This group seeks to prepare, maintain and make accessible systematic reviews of the effects of health and social interventions relevant to children, young offenders and people with learning disabilities. It is the first time that a group of this kind has been based in Northern Ireland.
Three new projects in the area of looked after children and safeguarding will commence in the autumn and winter of 2009/2010. We are also pleased to present successes in obtaining grants from other sources, including research councils, government and charities. Recent examples include awards to the BYDS team to examine cocaine use by young people (commissioned by the Drug and Alcohol Unit and Information Unit of the DHSSPS and teenage drinking cultures (funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) as well as two new Cochrane Fellowships. Our postgraduate community remains vibrant with 11 local and overseas students currently enrolled for research degrees, with more due to start. The Institute was also instrumental in setting up the new, multi-disciplinary Doctorate in Childhood Studies (the DChild). Now well into its third year of operation, this programme is going from strength to strength.
