‘We asked for workers, but human beings came’: Mental health and well-being of Polish migrants in Northern Ireland

Dr Anne Kouvonen, Dr Justyna Bell and Dr Michael Donnelly (QUB) This presentation will discuss our research in mental health and well-being of Polish migrants – the largest ethnic minority in Northern Ireland (NI) (Census 2011). Our findings suggest that many Polish migrants are still in a process of adapting to NI society and there … Read more

Poverty, ethnicity and international migrants to Northern Ireland: new opportunities or new vulnerabilities?

Dr Ruth McAreavey (QUB) During the past two decades a predominant pattern of emigration has been reversed in Northern Ireland, as it became a destination for many different migrants. There is evidence of Sudanese seeking refuge, Filipino nurses taking up employment opportunities and Polish workers shoring up meat processing industries. A rich mix of ethnic … Read more

‘Lost generations’? Taking the longer view on Northern Ireland migration

Dr Johanne Devlin Trew (Ulster) Between 2004 and 2008, immigration to Northern Ireland rose to unprecedented numbers and the issue of how the newcomers could be accommodated here became a ‘struggle’ for local authorities and featured prominently in the local media. Since then, however, immigration has declined significantly to the point where by 2012, Northern … Read more