Overview

Title: The utility, feasibility and acceptability of social network analysis in the prevention of higher-harm youth violence: a replication of the Twin Sight model in Northern Ireland

Supervisors: Dr Colm Walsh (SSESW), Leandro Garcia (Centre for Public Health) and David Scott (SSESW)

Context: Higher-harm youth violence can contribute to wide ranging and long-lasting harms. It has recently received significant policy attention. Public health prevention requires that policy makers and practitioners who is most at risk and the factors that mitigate those risks. Research evidence demonstrates that prevalence and impact of violence in Northern Ireland is clustered in small groups, with only a small number of individuals responsible for the majority of the most serious violent incidences.  The Twin Sight model leverage advances in social network analysis to facilitate an understanding of these clusters and thus has the potential of informing a public health violence prevention response.

This PhD will examine the utility, feasibility and acceptability of social network analysis in the prevention of youth violence within the NI context. Through this PHD, the candidate will:

• define the concept of higher-harm youth violence;
• undertake a combined impact and process evaluation of Twin Sight;
• determine and describe the implementation and operational challenges associated with implementing social network analysis within this context;
• document novel methods of communicating research insights to diverse target groups (policy makers, practitioners and children and young people)
• provide guidance on ways to address research gaps

This research builds on an existing collaborative relationship between the University of Limerick and Queens University in the School of Social Science, Education and Social Work. The project aligns with current research priorities regarding the development and evaluation of complex CJS interventions, trauma informed justice, violence prevention, improving systems for the control of crime, and promoting social justice for victims and offenders.

This research is of international significance. This work will have direct policy and practice impact not only on the Northern Ireland YJS, but also in relation to international developments in youth justice, violence prevention, crime reduction and community safety.

The studentship: The successful student will be based in Queens University SSESW, but will work closely with the research team at University of Limerick.  In addition to their academic supervisors, they will work closely with the subject lead for Criminology and project CI (Prof Maruna-QUB) as well as alongside policy and practice colleagues

Given the importance of this project, we are seeking an outstanding applicant who can not only demonstrate relevant knowledge and skills, but also a strong passion and commitment to work in the area of community safety and violence reduction.