They attended workshops to discuss the findings of the ‘Conversations’ research project conducted in their local community by the Innovation Zones at Queen’s and Shankill Children and Young People Zone.

Dr Laura Dunne (Deputy Director Innovation Zones) organised the event for the ESRC Festival of Social Science. Dr Liam O’Hare (Director Innovation Zones) and Dr Karen Orr (Stranmillis University College) also helped facilitate the workshops.

Dr Dunne said:

“We had a brilliant day with young people and their teachers from Belfast Model School for Girls and Belfast Boys’ Model School, discussing findings of, and future directions for the Conversations Project.

I want to say a huge thanks to the schools, teachers and young people for joining us! The boys and girls contributed enthusiastically and articulated their suggestions and ideas really well. It was a pleasure to have them with us and we hope this will be the first of many fruitful engagements. I think we may have a few budding social scientists on our hands!”

The ESRC Festival of Social Science funded the event, and the workshops were followed by pizza and a tour of the Queen’s main campus, Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum.

For more information contact Dr Liam O’Hare l.ohare@qub.ac.uk