December newsletter

We hope December is a joyful month for you, full of friends and fun, as well as or despite the serious work to be done.  

If you enjoy our newsletter please forward it to someone else who might enjoy it too! We always welcome your feedback on how we can update you about our various activities in a convenient and timely way.
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Our current research

Political participation of persons with disabilities
The UN CRPD sets out political participation rights clearly in Article 29, but how available are they in practice?We are currently undertaking desktop research for FRA on access to political participation in Ireland – expect the report out next year.

Policing experiences of Brazilians and People of African Descent in Ireland
We are currently finishing up our work with INAR on the independent research commissioned by the Policing Authority for submission in early 2024. Grateful thanks to all who facilitated and supported the research on this sensitive topic, and especially to our participants.


Recently completed research

Black and Black-Irish artists access to funding and opportunities

We recently completed this report for the Arts Council, including interviews with artists and arts organisations, and we look forward to publication early in the new year.

Child Protection in the EU

We just finished working with the EU Fundamental Rights Agency to update its 2016 mapping of child protection systems in the EU.  This is part of its work in Integrated Child Protection Systems. We look forward to sharing the relaunched map in 2024.


Recently published research

Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) Coalition Consultation Report

This Consultation Report presents the views and experiences of disabled people in Ireland based on 672 surveys and 8 focus groups. It was created in advance of the Irish Government presenting to the United Nations Committee on the Government’s work to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) to offer an alternative report on the realities faced by disabled people in Ireland today. Read it here

Equality Data and Arts Council Awards 2022

The Arts Council published our analysis of last year’s funding across gender, ethnicity and disability. Read it here.

Anti-Muslim Hatred Database Update

The database provides an overview of relevant international, European and national case law and decisions. It also provides findings of national human rights bodies related to anti-Muslim hatred incidents, such as violence, property offences, incitement to violence or hatred, other forms of hate speech, discrimination, harassment. In addition, it provides relevant research findings, including reports, studies and statistics on these issues, as well as information on victims’ support organisations providing support to victims of hate-motivated crime. See the Irish data here.

Fundamental Rights Report 2023

The Annual Report 2023 reviews major developments in the field in 2022, with particular attention this year to: Support for human rights systems and defenders; Asylum, migration and borders;Data protection, privacy and new technologies; Equality, non-discrimination and racism; Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation

Protecting civil society – Update 2023

Civil society organisations struggle to maintain an environment safe from threats and attacks. FRA’s sixth annual update on civic space explores the challenges for organisations across the EU.

The Russian aggression against Ukraine – Displaced children finding protection in the EU

More than 1.3 million children sought international protection in the EU. This bulletin explores the respect, protection and fulfilment of the fundamental rights of displaced children and ways to safeguard their rights.


This month we are thinking about…

We are still talking about Gaza


Keep raising your voices, keep sending your support and solidarity. For a list of upcoming events through December, see www.ipsc.ie/

After the Dublin riots

There have been important conversations happening since the events at Parnell Square – here’s our round-up of things to read and know….

The voices of minority ethnic and migrant communities are at risk of being lost in the debates that follow, says Teresa Buczkowska in the Journal.ie – Opinion: The riots were a scaled-up version of what we migrants face every day in Ireland
Sorcha Pollak talks to some migrants living in Dublin after the riots – Migrant community ‘stressed, afraid and traumatised’ after Dublin city riots

Hope and Courage Collective (formerly the Far-Right Observatory) have published a short guide for community leaders on how to respond after the riots – it’s a live document to provide you with ongoing support. Access it here

Facial Recognition Technology is not the solution

ICCL previously called for a ban on the police use of facial-recognition technology, arguing that it poses an “extreme risk to rights.” see Liam Herrick, ICCL in the Irish Times

ICCL currently have a petition open you can sign here


This month we are enjoying…

The new digital exhibition from Irish in Britain showing the diversity of our diaspora across the UK. It’s packed with fascinating accounts including the stories of LGBTQIA Irish abroad, Mixed Race Irish, and the work to support access to abortion for people in Ireland.


Project updates

We believe in transparency and accountability. As far as possible, we try to make sure that research participants are kept up to date on the progress of research and its later publication. Timelines can and do change regularly, especially where projects have to pass through the many stages to publication. Our new Project Updates webpage helps you track the latest news on each project.


New for 2024!

Supporting you when you need us

We are launching our new one-to-one advice and support service, helping you to tackle the issues you are facing when you need us! Book a single call or a priority support package valid for 12 months – more details here.

2022 in review

HUGE THANKS to everyone who worked with us in 2022.

It’s been an incredibly busy year for us, and a very satisfying one!

We had 3 full-time team members, 2 part time, and 11 project staff, based in Dublin, Galway and Belfast.

  • Dr Lucy Michael – Director
  • Dr Niloufar Omidi – Senior Researcher (Human Rights Law)
  • Dan Reynolds – Researcher (Social Analysis)
  • Dr Ka Ka Tsang – Researcher
  • Dr Marta Kempny – Researcher (Social Analysis) (not in photo)
  • Megan Elliott – Executive Assistant

We are grateful for all our team members and partners and how they help us to further our work on equity, inclusion and justice.

The She Leads Fingal programme was designed and led with 5 prominent local leaders in Fingal. Ayo Yusuf, Geraldine Rooney and Catherine Joyce led the in-person delivery with Lucy.

The Belfast Inequalities research was conducted with a team of 8 peer researchers from the city.

  • Maria Teglas
  • Ezzaldin Thabet
  • Nattassa Latcham
  • Marty Pilkiewicz
  • Mary McDonagh
  • Salwa Al Sharabi
  • Eva Logan
  • Support: Denis Long and Pauline McGarry

The Belfast Inequalities programme was delivered in partnership with ACSONI and POLCA.

Our clients this year in Ireland, the UK and Europe included:

Arts Council of Ireland

Belfast City Council

Church of Ireland

Croí na Gaillimhe SVP Asylum Support Group

Fingal County Council

Galway City Partnership

European Network Against Racism

EU Fundamental Rights Agency

Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)

Irish Deaf Society

Irish Council of Churches

Irish Network Against Racism

Maynooth University

New Communities Partnership

Policing Authority

University of Galway

Work with us

We would be delighted to receive your CV and letter of interest if you would like to work with us.

Our roles will vary depending on project funding available at any particular time and contracts will be offered accordingly.

We are interested in the following experience at present:

Social sciences research (Masters degree and above)

Events and communications

Executive assistant

All of our roles are currently remote working, with attendance at project events from time to time.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we value your potential contribution to our team. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and how we can support you in our workplace.