SLSS Fellow Presents Research on Positive Masculinities at European Congress
Dr Amanda Dylina Morse presented her research on positive masculinities in Belfast at the 9th European Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, held in Athens, Greece in January 2026.
Dr Amanda Dylina Morse, SLSS Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, presented her research at the 9th European Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (ECQI2026), which took place in Athens, Greece from 13–16 January 2026.
Her presentation shared findings from her PhD research exploring the structures and influences that support young men in demonstrating positive masculinities within the context of Belfast’s post-conflict legacy.
Dr Morse presented as part of an international panel on masculinities alongside public health and social science researchers from Canada, Greece and the United States. The panel explored how masculinities are shaped across different social and cultural contexts.
The research examined how young men express and perform manhood, including masculine personae, social roles and markers of success. It also explored the impact of community disruption and cohesion, including the continuing influence of paramilitarism in some communities.
A key focus of the presentation was the role of youth workers in supporting young men. The research highlighted how youth work can help interrupt community-level violence while providing emotional support at an individual level.
Dr Morse’s participation in the Congress highlights the international reach of research at Queen’s University Belfast and contributes to ongoing conversations about youth work, masculinity and post-conflict societies.