Centre Background
It carried out a wide range of studies with a concentration on practical issues to do with institutional and community structures and change. In the last few years research reports were published on: parades and marches, segregation, mixed marriages, ethnic minorities, the role of the churches in the conflict, employment and unemployment differentials, cross-border relations, and the cultural curriculum of the schools. The most recent work of the Centre included a range of studies on issues including: mediation, politics in a divided society, peace education, the role of women in conflict, policy evaluation, educational attainment, parental opinion, the role of district councils in community relations, and policing a divided society.
The Centre was staffed by fixed-term researchers, a director (Professor Seamus Dunn), an associate director and a secretary. In addition, a large number of the academic staff of the University were associated with the Centre conducting funded research projects under its auspices. The Centre received core funding from the University but the greater part of its income was derived from research grants from government, charitable foundations and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). During the last few years the Centre attracted funding for a number of projects. These projects covered a range of research topics including: alienation, ethnic minorities, values in education, Education for Mutual Understanding and conflict resolution. Full details of completed Centre projects can be found from the main menu.
As an important complement to the conduct of research the Centre was anxious to ensure that the results of its studies had an impact on the community at all levels, including the relevant government departments, other academics, the media and the wider population. The completion of each project within the Centre was therefore accompanied by the publication of a research report. In the last few years the list of Centre research reports (which can be found from the main menu) grew significantly. In addition to these reports the Centre also published an Occasional Paper series. Another way in which the Centre encouraged the dissemination of information about the Northern Ireland conflict was by promoting a programme of seminars and visiting speakers - including academics, politicians, diplomats, civil servants, journalists, churchmen and trade unionists, from home and abroad. In the last few years the Centre welcomed visitors from: Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda and the United States of America. In addition the staff of the Centre, and associated colleagues, accepted invitations to speak about their work and visited and lectured in many countries, including: Australia, Belgium, Britain, Finland, France, India, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Turkey and the United States of America.