Philip McDermott, from University of Ulster, presented the first in the latest ARK seminar series. Held on 25 November at NICVA, Philip explored attitudes on immigration and diversity, using data from the 2012 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey.

Two publications have been published relating to these results (see the Publications section below).
Wherever possible, we video the ARK seminars, and make them available online. The recording of this seminar can now be accessed in the Seminars Online section of the website.

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In 2012, CAIN launched a specialist section containing public records selected from the National Archives, Ireland. These were related to the conflict and politics in Northern Ireland, and focused on the years 1965 to 1969.

Funding from the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade allowed for a second selection of 750 records from these Archives to be added to the CAIN site. These focus on the years 1970 to 1974, and were launched on 28 November 2013.

The records are available within a searchable database, and complement the key events and issues that are covered on CAIN.

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This new report by Duncan Morrow, Gillian Robinson and Lizanne Dowds provides in-depth analysis of the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes Surveys and Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey to explore different groups within the population during 1989 to 2012, and to look to the future by providing evidence based recommendations for current policy.

The launch takes place on Wednesday 11 December 2013, at noon (registration at 11.30am), at The Mac, Exchange Street West, Belfast. The Seminar is free of charge but registration is essential as places are limited. Please register either by phone 028 71675513 or email info@ark.ac.uk

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The annual Kids' Life and Times (KLT) and Young Life and Times (YLT) surveys provide a key record of the views of children and young people on policy issues that affect them. Funding for the surveys has come from a variety of sources including academic, statutory and voluntary sectors.

If you are interested in funding or commissioning questions in the 2014 survey of 16 year olds (Young Life and Times) and the 2014 survey of 10/11 year olds (Kids' Life and Times), please look at the full details on the ARK website, and don't hesitate to get in touch.

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The School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, is offering two full-time PhD. Both studentships will support research which strengthens the evidence-base underpinning the Ageing Sector in Northern Ireland, and complement the ARK Ageing Programme.

Funding is available for three years and will cover university fees and pay a stipend. A travel/fieldwork budget is also available. However, there are eligibility criteria on residence, nationality and academic qualifications. Applicants should apply via Queen's University's online application system which can be found at http://go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply. The closing date is 2 January 2014.

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ARK will host two seminars in next few months:

Sexual risks experienced by 16-year olds. Using research evidence to influence policy and practice: On Tuesday 28 January 2014, Dirk Schubotz will show how data from the Young Life and Times survey on sexual grooming and exploitation of young people informed a participatory Knowledge Exchange project with the aim of influencing policy and practice in this field. Dirk will co-present this seminar with a participant from the project.

Queering the Family - Attitudes towards LGBT families and relationships in Northern Ireland: On Tuesday 25 February 2014, Nicola Carr, Siobhan McAllister and Gail Neill will use data from the 2012 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey to explore public attitudes within the context of broader discourses that often underpin policy discussions on 'the family'.

Both seminars will be held NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, from 12:00-13:00, followed by a sandwich lunch. Everyone is welcome, and the seminars are free. However, places must be booked by email info@ark.ac.uk, or by telephone 028 7167 5513

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Two new publications have been released, focusing on data from the 2012 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey:

• Research Update 86: A 'Shared Society?' Attitudes on immigration and diversity, by Philip McDermott
• Occasional Paper: Summary report on attitudes to minority ethnic people, by Paula Devine

ARK produces a range of publications, including Research Updates and fact sheets. Most of these are available online. For a full list of publications, as well as links, visit our Publications page.

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ARK is a joint initiative between Queen's University and the University of Ulster, and began in 2000. Our mission is to make social science knowledge on Northern Ireland easily accessible to the widest possible audience. Most of our dissemination is via our website at www.ark.ac.uk, which is divided into four main areas:

• Surveys
• Conflict, Politics and Elections
• Policy, Research and Resources
• Outreach, Dissemination and Training - including publications and events

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