Users of the ARK website often focus on just one section of the site. However, ARK contains a huge range of different types of resources, including survey data, information and source material on the conflict, publications, slides and videos of events, and much more. So why not take a new look at what we have to offer?

Our resources could be really useful for parents and students involved in home schooling. Perhaps you are a student who was hoping to carry out some fieldwork for your project or dissertation? Why not undertake some secondary data analysis using ARK survey data instead?

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This new Research Update Attitudes to migrant workers in Northern Ireland: an improving landscape? by Lucy Michael explores trends in public attitudes to migrant workers in Northern Ireland, using data from the 2018 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey.

Lucy has also produced a video where she discusses the findings, and their significance.

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In October 2019, ARK collaborated with Youth Pact on a roundtable event to explore the role and challenges of youth work and youth workers in peacebuilding. Participants included officials from several government departments and representatives from a range of NGOs and academics.

This new Policy Brief Young People and Peacebuilding: Challenges and Opportunities by Andy Hamilton and Eliz McArdle draws upon the research evidence and discussion at that event. You can also view a video of Andy talking about this new publication.

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In each of our newsletters throughout this year, we will highlight previous research or events that ARK has carried out since 2000, in order to mark our 20th anniversary.

In 2002, Brendan Murtagh produced the Research Update Social Activity and Interaction in Northern Ireland, based on data from the 2000 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey. This analysis was based on the concept of social capital, developed by Robert Putnam. The data indicated that the stock of social capital in Northern Ireland was widely distributed.

Robert Putnam aruged that becoming having reduced social capital, and becoming disconnected from family, friends and neighbours and social structure, is a threat to personal, civic and economic health. Given the current need for social distancing and restrictions on activities, these messages are very timely.

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Did you know that ARK has a YouTube channel? Seminars and events are an important and enjoyable way of meeting and discussing our research. Where possible, we video the presentations at these events (but not the discussion), and make these available on YouTube.

At the moment, we aren't able to run any face-to-face events. So why not have a look at our previous videos, many of which explore issues which are very important at the minute. For example, in 2016, Gillian Robinson discussed findings from the 2015 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey on public attitudes to data sharing. This is very relevant to current discussions about contact tracing apps and data privacy.

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ARK is Northern Ireland's social policy hub. Established in 2000 by researchers at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, its primary goal is to increase the accessibility and use of academic data and research. Most of our dissemination is via our website at www.ark.ac.uk, which is divided into five main areas:

• Surveys
• Projects
• Resources
• Publications
• Events

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