Comms Office, Author at Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS)

Engagement and Empowerment: Emancipating Health Care Support Workers to become Registered Professionals in Northern Ireland

18th October 20172nd March 2016 by Comms Office

Prof Jan Draper, Donna Gallagher (OU) and Paul Carlin (SET) Creating and enhancing career development opportunities for the healthcare support workforce and widening access to higher education are currently key priorities across the United Kingdom. The high academic attainment at GCSE and A Level required by universities challenges these two key priorities. Francis (2013) said; … Read more

Exploring Consumers’ Quality Perceptions of Local NI Food & Drink Produce

18th October 201724th February 2016 by Comms Office

Miss Rachel Malcolmson (Ulster) The Northern Ireland (NI) agri-food industry faces significant challenges in re-building consumer confidence in the quality and authenticity of food/drink products. However, increasing demand for authentic, high quality produce, paired with a renewed sense of food patriotism, presents new growth opportunities for local and artisan food/drink products to be promoted for … Read more

NI Skills barometer: Developing skills for tomorrow’s economy

18th October 201724th February 2016 by Comms Office

Mr Mark Magill (Ulster) This presentation addresses the widespread consensus on the value of skills both to the individual as well as the wider economy. It highlights how qualitative evidence from employers identifies skills shortages in a number of key sectors and occupations across the Northern Ireland (NI) economy. However, it notes the gap in … Read more

How can the NI economy become more competitive in the 21st century global economy?

18th October 201724th February 2016 by Comms Office

Prof Rob Gilles (QUB) The Northern Ireland (NI) economy competes in an increasingly complex global setting. Since 2007 the global economy seems to be in a perpetual state of volatility. This presentation addresses how recent developments in economics can help understand how businesses and economies compete in this global setting and how these insights can … Read more

Abortion Policy – Challenges and Opportunities

18th October 201710th February 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Fiona Bloomer (Ulster) and Dr Lesley Hoggart (OU) This presentation considers the development and implementation of abortion policy in Northern Ireland, setting it within all-Ireland, United Kingdom (UK) and international context. It explores policy development in this area since the commencement of the Northern Ireland Assembly and analyses the extent to which this has … Read more

Ensuring a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland remains on the Political Agenda

18th October 201710th February 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Anne Smith and Prof Monica McWilliams (Ulster) This presentation focuses on the findings of a research report ‘Political Capacity Building: Advancing a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland’, September 2014. The report seeks to contribute to discussions regarding a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and sets out a series of recommendations. Drawing upon … Read more

Exploring the relationship between anxiety /sleeping problems and suicidal behaviours

18th October 201727th January 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Denise O’Hagan and Dr Gillian Armstrong (QUB) Rates of prescribing of drugs for anxiety and sleep problems are higher in Northern Ireland than other parts of the United Kingdom. This may be related to the higher burden of mental ill health among the NI population. The research presented in this seminar will highlight data … Read more

An exploration of the dynamics of suicide among women

18th October 201727th January 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Sharon Mallon (OU) There has been a great deal of concern about the rising rates of suicide in Northern Ireland. To date, the discussion has tended to focus on suicide among men, with little consideration given to suicide among women. This lack of attention is concerning as studies suggest there are important gender differences … Read more

Understanding suicide and suicidal behaviour in Northern Ireland

18th October 201727th January 2016 by Comms Office

Prof Siobhan O’Neill (Ulster) This presentation delivers key findings from two studies of suicide in Northern Ireland about factors influencing suicide and suicidal behaviour. Included are the findings from data analysis of coronial files on 1,667 suicides and undetermined deaths from 2005-2011; which illustrate how theories relate to suicide prevention in Northern Ireland. Amongst the … Read more

A pension for those seriously injured during the Troubles: Repairing the past

18th October 201713th January 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Luke Moffett (QUB) Victims who have been seriously injured during the Troubles/conflict in and around Northern Ireland have often been forgotten in redressing their daily suffering when dealing with the past. Many continue to live with debilitating injuries and chronic pain, facing financial insecurity and failing health as they enter old age. A pension … Read more