ICR’s research work is based on an academic rigour, but is primarily focused on influencing policy and practice. Our work includes projects that we have initiated ourselves, research that we have been specifically commissioned to undertake, and work that we compete for under a tendering process.
The following reports are listed by title. They represent some of our work which has been published.
ICR also carries out discrete and sensitive research in confidence to inform and support the development of policy and practice. Some of this material is not within the public domain.
Quick jump to category:
Conflict & Violence | Equality & Diversity | Hate Crime | Legacy of the Conflict | Migration | Policing | Sectarianism & Segregation | Young People
Conflict & Violence
| Desecration to Reconciliation (2008-2009): Research into the scale and nature of violent attacks on religious buildings and property. | Local Accommodation. Effective Practice in Responding to Disputes over Parades (2008-2009): An analysis of the most effective responses to disputes over parades in selected areas of Northern Ireland. | Eutopia Project (2007-2009): The development of an online mediation training programme and needs analysis report, carried out with partners in Italy and Cyprus. | Insight on Conflict (2008): A summary review of fifty Northern Irish peace building initiatives carried out for an online resource. |
| Parades and Protests (2007): A summary of all reports and papers related to the recent disputes over parades in Northern Ireland. | Review of Interface Issues in Derry (2007): A review of key issues to inform local partners in developing more strategic responses to violence in interface areas. (This report is not currently available to the public). | Mapping Exercise on Anti-Social Behaviour (2007): An overview of statutory and community initiatives to counter anti-social behaviour in eight Belfast parks. (This report is not currently available to the public). | Working at the Interface. Good Practice in Reducing Tension and Violence (2006): A review of current best practice by the community sector across the main interface areas of Belfast. |
| Punishing Disorder. Sentencing of Public Order Offences in Northern Ireland (2006): A review of sentences in relation to public disorder. | Interface Bibliography (2005): A summary of all reports and papers on interface communities in Northern Ireland. | Interface Violence in East Belfast (2005): An investigation into origins and impact of the violence around the Short Strand and Inner East Belfast during 2002. |
Equality & Diversity
| Poverty and Ethnicity, Key Messages for Northern Ireland (2016): The Viewpoint contextualises for Northern Ireland the main findings from a number of recently published reports from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on poverty and ethnicity. The research identified four main themes that shape experiences of poverty among different ethnic minority groups: employment, education, provision of services and caring. | ‘Waking this thin line’ Black and Minoirty Ethnic (BME) Experiences of Mental Health Wellbeing in N.Ireland (2015): The report develops a literature review and relevant case studies to indicate the range of challenges faced by individuals from BME backgrounds who are suffering problems with their mental health in N. Ireland. The report concludes by offering a range of recommendations that could be introduced to try and overcome the stated challenges. | Forced Labour in Northern Ireland: An Update (2014): A review of the nature of forced labour in Northern Ireland, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The report updated previous ICR research on the matter, which had taken place in 2011. | Strengthening Protection for All Ages against Age Discrimination outside the Workplace: Examples to illustrate older people’s experiences when accessing goods and services (2014:. Research which identified, recorded and documented the experiences of age discrimination suffered by a range of older people living in Northern Ireland. The report, conducted on behalf of the Equality Commission, assessed these issues via a range of case studies. |
| Substance Misuse Among People Over 55: Perspectives from the Community and Voluntary Sector in Belfast (2011): The aim of this research was to review knowledge, awareness and evidence of the impact of substance misuse on the older population (aged 55+). The report also reviewed good practice in reducing substance related harm by undertaking an evaluation of available research, data and information sources. | Healthcare Issues for Transgender People Living in Northern Ireland (2011): Research which explored the health care experiences of transpeople living in Northern Ireland. | Voice for All (2008): An overview of legislation, policy and Good Practices designed to challenge discrimination and promote equality. | Equality Mainstreaming: Policy and Practice for LGB and Transgender People (2007): Research into how statutory bodies consider LGB and Transgender issues in the development or policy and practice under Section 75. |
| Enabling Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals to Access their Rights under Equality Law (2007): Review of strategies through which specialised equality bodies can enable LGB individuals to secure their rights under equality law. | Community Safety, Diversity and Good Relations (2007): Overview of key issues of concern and emerging good practice for disabled people, black and minority ethnic, LGB and interface communities in Belfast. | Cultural Diversity Education Programme (2006): A review and needs analysis of cultural diversity and anti-racism work in the primary school sector in Belfast. | Racism within the Health Sector (2006): Research into the experiences of racism by members of minority ethnic communities working in the state and private health sectors in Northern Ireland. |
| Service Provision for Minority Ethnic Communities (2006): A comparative study of service provision to the BME population in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. This report was preceded by a Discussion paper. | Sectarian and Racist Chill Factors in Armagh College (2004): Research into the perceptions of sectarian and racist chill factors among College staff and employees. (This report is not currently available to the public). |
Hate Crime
| Challenge Hate Crime: Deal with it, Report 1: Criminal Justice Responses to Hate Crime in Northern Ireland (2012): A review of the range of the legal responses that exist in Northern Ireland to deal with hate crime. There is also a consideration of the problem elsewhere in the UK and a comparison of the legal interventions in place. | Challenge Hate Crime: Deal with it, Report 2: Defining Sectarianism (2012): The report assesses the nature of sectarianism within Northern Ireland – considering how it exists in the context of religious prejudice, as a form of racism and within the political arena. | Challenge Hate Crime: Deal with it, Report 3: Political Parties and Hate Crime (2012): The paper analyses the published views of the main political parties in Northern Ireland towards hate crime. The report focuses on how the parties have chosen to write about hate crime in their policy documents – tracing any changing priorities over recent years. | The Luck of the Draw. A Report on the Experiences of Transindividuals Reporting Hate Incidents in Northern Ireland (2010): A study exploring the isses of transphobic hate crime. |
| Be Safe Stay Safe (2008): A baseline study of issues that impact on the sense of safety experienced by people with a disability. | Hate Crime Projects (2002-2008): Four separate studies of the levels and nature of racist, homophobic, sectarian and disability hate crime in Northern Ireland. | Homophobia (2003) | Racism (2004) |
| Sectarianism (2005) | Disability (2008) | European Hate Crime Legislation (2004): A review of legislation relating to hate crimes in all the European Union countries. |
Legacy of the Conflict
| Living Well Together, Beyond 2016 (a pre-conference report) (2016):The Irish association commissioned ICR to provide a pre-conference, Pre-Brexit report to inform discussions at their 2016 annual conference. It considered how both jurisdictions can and are living well together. As well as assessing how social, cultural and economic relationships are impacted by shared and divided identities. | For God, Ulster or Ireland? Religion, Identity and Security in Northern Ireland (2013): The research evaluated the dynamics and role of religion on perceptions of identity, views of the ‘Other’ community and the impact if any on attitudes to security in both a Northern Irish and broader international context. | Responses to Radicalisation (2008): Further dialogue in Bradford on similarities and differences between the responses to violence in Northern Ireland and recent violence in England. | Criminalising Radicalisation (2007): Documenting a dialogue in Belfast on similarities and differences between the responses to radicalisation within Northern Ireland and the Muslim population of England. |
| The Impact of the Border and the Conflict on Women (2007): An overview of health issues associated with the conflict and the border on women in the north west of Ireland. | Health and Social Care Needs of Victims & Survivors (2003): A review of the particular needs of victims and survivors of the conflict in Northern Ireland.(This report is not currently availble to the public). | Human Rights and Conflict Intervention (2002): A dialogue between the human rights and community relations constituencies exploring different approaches to dealing with conflict. | Caring through the Troubles (2002): A study of the impact of the conflict on health service staff and health service provision. |
| The Human Impact of the Troubles on Housing Provision (2002): A review of the impact of the conflict on the work of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. | The Cost of the Troubles Study. Report on the Northern Ireland Survey (1999):A study which looked at the impact of the Troubles. |
Migration
| Forced Labour in Northern Ireland (2011): This study explored evidence of forced labour among new migrants to Northern Ireland in a range of employment sectors. | The Health and Social Needs of Settled and Migrant Ethnic Groups and their Families in the Western Health Board Area (2009): Research funded by the Western Health Action Zone. (This report is not currently availble to the public). | The Nature and Extent of Human Trafficking in Northern Ireland (2008-2009): A baseline study exploring the scale of the problem of human trafficking. | Experiences of Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland (2008-2009): A major review of the experiences of new migrants. |
| New Migration, Equality and Integration. Issues and Challenges for Northern Ireland (2009): A strategic overview of key issues for policy and practice. | Employment Agencies and Migrant Workers (2008): An extended review of literature and legislation into the practices of employment agencies and employment businesses offering their services to migrant workers in Northern Ireland. | New Migrant Communities and Belfast (2007): An overview of demographic trends and social factors relating to new patterns of migration to the city. | New Migrants and Belfast (2007): Summary evidence presented to the House of Lords Economic Committee Enquiry into the Economic Impact of Migration to the UK. |
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Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland (2004): A baseline study of new patterns of migration and issues affecting recently arrived migrants. | New Migrant Communities in East Tyrone (2005): A review of the attitudes of staff and students at East Tyrone College towards the migrant population in the area. (This report is not currently availble to the public). | Rhythms and Realities of Everyday Life (2007): A study of the impact of new migration in Dungannon, part of a wider UK-wide research project. |
Policing
| Beyond the Margins. Building Trust in Policing with Young People (2010): Research which looked at young people’s views and experiences of policing in Northern Ireland | Policing Republican and Loyalist Communities (2008): A review of the effectiveness of current approaches to community policing by the PSNI. | Neighbourhood Watch (2007): An evaluation of the effectiveness of the network of Neighbourhood Watch initiatives across Northern Ireland. | Night Patrols and Community Policing (2006): A brief review of the work of Aborigine community policing patrols in Australia. |
| Responsible Citizens (2005): Research into a variety of community-based responses to public disorder associated with parades and interface areas. | Policing, Accountability and the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community in Northern Ireland (2004): A review of the experiences and attitudes of the LGB population towards the new policing structures and arrangements. | Policing, Accountability and the Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Northern Ireland (2004): A review of the experiences and attitudes of the black and minority ethnic communities towards the new policing structures and arrangements. | Creggan Community Restorative Justice (2003): A study of the development, impact and potential of a community-based restorative justice project in Derry. |
| Policing Accountability and Young People (2003): A review of the experiences and attitudes of young people towards the new policing structures and arrangements. |
Sectarianiam & Segregation
| Community Dialogue Tool Lurgan Town Project(2013): The project identifies and addresses perceptions and experiences of sectarianism, segregation and community cohesion amongst young people in and from Lurgan. | A Model of Consultation? Transformation and Regeneration at the Interface(2013): A report which explores how community engagement can be furthered in interface areas. | The CitySide Initiative (2011): A project which documented the peacebuilding work on Duncairn Gardens. | Beyond Belfast (2010): A report commissioned by the Community Relations Council (CRC) and Rural Community Network (RCN) which explored the physical legacy of of segregation and division in towns, villages, rural communities and the border areas beyond Belfast. |
| Towards Sustainable Security (2008): A strategic overview of data, statistics and opinion on interface and other security barriers in Belfast. | Segregated Lives (2008): A study of the ways and means that patterns of segregation and sectarianism are sustained through routine daily practices. | Fears, Constraints and Opportunities (2008): A study of attitudes towards increasing the development of shared residential areas in Belfast. (This report is not currently available to the public). | Sectarianism, Racism and Irish League Football (2007): A baseline review of the scale of sectarianism and racism and associated problems in local league football. |
| Mapping Interface Barriers (2005): An annotated and photographic record of each of the government constructed ‘peacelines’ in Belfast. | Shared Living, Mixed Residential Communities in Northern Ireland (2006): An in-depth study of quality of life issues and social relationships in three non-segregated residential communities. | Community Relations Council Research (2004): Four separate, but parallel pieces of research examining the levels of sectarianism in Antrim, Armagh, Larne and Limavady Council areas. (These reports are not currently available to the public). | Demography, Development and Disorder (2004): A review of changing social and demographic patterns in interface areas and the emergence of new interfaces. |
Young People
| Beyond the Margins. Building Trust in Policing with Young People (2010): Research which looked at young people’s views and experiences of policing in Northern Ireland. |
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 Impact of Political Conflict on Children (2004): A study of the legacy of violent conflict on the lives of children |
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