The Institute for Conflict Research is an independent research organisation, which specialises in working on issues related to conflict, human rights, social transformation and social justice. It is a not for profit company limited by guarantee with charitable status and is managed by a board of directors drawn from the community, voluntary and academic sectors.

ICR undertakes a diverse range of work related to its core research activity, we:

• Design, develop and source funding for our own research projects.
• Respond to commissions and tenders, mainly from government departments and statutory bodies.
• Undertake evaluations of a wide range of projects and programmes of work;
• Develop and deliver training and education work.
• Develop research, support and training projects with community-based groups.
• Work in partnership with other research organisations, including private sector bodies and universities, both in Northern Ireland and further afield.
• Provide advice, support and assistance to academics, students, independent research and journalists.
• Carry out a range of work, alone or in partnership, in a variety of other countries.

Our main areas of research experience are:

Conflict & Violence

This includes work on violence in interface areas, disputes over parades, anti-social behaviour, various forms of hate crimes and young people’s involvement in violence.

Equality & Diversity

We have undertaken various projects on issues affecting the minority ethnic communities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population of Northern Ireland.

Human Rights

Our work has focused on issues associated with freedom of assembly in Northern Ireland and Europe and on the relationships between conflict intervention work and human rights.

Legacy of the Conflict

A number of studies have explored the ongoing impact of the Troubles on individual lives, institutional practices and service provision.

Migration

ICR has undertaken a number of studies on the changing patterns of migration to Northern Ireland. This includes an overview of general trends, plus local studies in Belfast, Dungannon and in the further education sector.

Policing

Includes research on the relationships between the PSNI and young people, and black and minority ethnic communities and lesbians, gays and bisexuals. Also work on community based policing including Neighbourhood Watch.

Sectarianism & Segregation

This includes projects on the dynamics of mixed residential communities, on the daily patterns of segregation and division, on sectarian violence and on approaches to creating a more integrated society.

Young People

Numerous pieces of work have include projects on young people and policing, on their experiences of violence, on young people's views of electoral politics and work in relation to a variety of aspects of education.

ICR works primarily in Northern Ireland but have also carried out a number of projects in the Republic of Ireland. ICR staff have also been involved in research and training in other countries including Australia, Bosnia, France, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Nepal, South Africa and USA.