QCAP share Transdisciplinary Research Expertise at ENCORE Network Launch

The Early Career and Contract Researcher Network (ENCORE) launched on 31 October in The Great Hall at Queen’s University (QUB), with QCAP invited to discuss the advantages and impact of our transdisciplinary approach.

The Value of a Local Coordinator

We are working with our partner, the Market Development Association (MDA) to better understand the persistent challenges around health, education and employment. Engagement with our partner community in the Market area of South Belfast highlighted that health and education were among some of the important issues that the community were most concerned about and would like to see improved.

Dublin Maker 2022 Event  

On 23 July, QCAP travelled with our community partners from the Market in South Belfast to Dublin, for #DublinMaker2022. The event was a fantastic public showcase of different makerspaces and a chance to meet people passionate about making STEAM activities accessible for all communities, groups, and abilities. The visit was an opportunity to develop our partnership further and build capacity for the Communities and the Knowledge Economy work strand. Ciarán Hargey from the Market Development Association reports on his experience of the event and its value to their local development work

Exploring Themes of Community Development with Students from Belmont University, Tennessee

For two days in June, QCAP welcomed a group of undergraduate students from Belmont University, Nashville, USA. The group comprised students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including medicine, law, natural sciences, and the arts. Keen to enhance their understanding of civic participation, the students engaged with several activities and helped to co-create ideas on how to support inclusive and sustainable community development.

Planting the Seeds of Curiosity: Garden Refurbishment Commences at St Malachy’s Primary School

The wildlife garden at St Malachy’s Primary School — once the pride of the Market community in South Belfast — has attracted many famous visitors over the years. Sadly, however, due to shifting priorities within education around that time, the garden, and its pond area became too time consuming to maintain and secondary to the school’s curricular needs. Recent QCAP work aims to re-establish the garden as a resource for learning and well-being within the community, and to maximise its educational relevance for St Malachy’s primary school.  

Going Beyond Participation - Children as Activists in Change-Making Research

Community members, including children, should be regarded as experts in their own lives and as active partners in evidence gathering, according to a paper by QCAP's Dr Emma Loudon and Dr Ben McAteer.

Moira Doherty: Reflections on Working Better Together after COVID

“The strength of our community fabric is one of our greatest assets” says Moira Doherty, Deputy Secretary for Engaged Communities Group in the Department for Communities in a contribution to QCaptures.

The Potential of Community Wealth Building

QCAP team members Brendan Murtagh and Andrew Grounds recently presented research results at a Community Wealth Building event organised by Development Trusts Northern Ireland (DTNI).

Priorities for Building Community Wealth

Researchers and practitioners have identified five priority areas for Building Community Wealth: Assets; Places; Economy; Work; and Procurement.