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Conversations

QUB Innovation Zones Community Toolkit graphic
Community Research Toolkit

The Toolkit offers practical guidance on conducting research with and from communities, highlighting peer-research models, youth engagement, and co-designed approaches.

Drawing on shared learning across Tallaght, Shankill, and the Innovation Zones, it demonstrates how community-led inquiry builds trust, amplifies local voices, and produces evidence that is more relevant for research, services and policy. The report underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration, inclusion, and lived experience in driving meaningful social change.

The Toolkit was launched by former President of Ireland, Dr Mary McAleese, and funded through the Shared Island Initiative.

Access the Community Research Toolkit here.

Cover of Conversations Report 2022; image: girl with sunglasses showing victory sign
'Conversations'
Shaping children and young peoples’ futures

The Conversations project is having conversations with children and young people to support them and shape the future of their community. The Innovation Zones team have been working with the Greater Shankill Children and Young People Zone in their 20-year vision to transform the lives of those within the Shankill community.

This vision starts with a commitment to the Children and Young people of the Shankill involving lifelong engagement (in the form of conversations) to establish their goals and aspirations and provide wraparound support where necessary. In addition, the conversations, will inform a child-centred, bottom up, outcomes framework for the community, which will inform future service provision and development of community resources. 

The Conversations process has been co-designed by teams from QUB Innovation Zones and the Shankill Children and Young People Zone. Outputs of the work include protocols, guides, tools, resources and training mechanisms for those significant adult ‘Pathfinders’ who hold the conversations with the children and young people.  

In November 2022, the Innovation Zones team and the Shankill Children and Young People Zone published a report outlining the first phase of the Conversations process ‘Conversations: The story I want my life to be’. 

If you are interested in hearing more about the Conversations project please contact Dr Liam O'Hare. 

Download the Report here.

 

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