Lucy Michael Research, Training and Consultancy
Providing bespoke research and training solutions for an evidence-led approach to equality
We are currently undertaking research on behalf of the Fundamental Rights Agency (EU FRA) alongside researchers in all 27 member states on a thematic report mapping national child protection systems.
Our report on Ireland will be produced during spring 2023 and submitted to FRA for review and publication (date not yet confirmed).
FRA previously published a similar report on Child Protection Systems in the EU in 2015
https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2016/mapping-child-protection-systems-eu
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.
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.
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
We are currently undertaking research in partnership with ACSONI, POLCA and Belfast Intercultural Romanian Association on behalf of Belfast City Council to make recommendations to address ethnic inequalities across a variety of domains, including but not exclusive to: health, education, employment and civic and political participation.
The research and report will inform the city’s Community Planning document, the ‘Belfast Agenda’, which sets out a shared vision for the future of the city and seeks to improve the lives and wellbeing outcomes of all citizens in Belfast.
Interviewers have been hired from a range of ethnic, national and linguistic backgrounds who have strong connections in the stakeholder communities for this research. Each of the interviewers have been provided with training on ethics and interview methods, technique and data management. This has been supplemented by feedback and support throughout the data collection process.
Two additional capacity-building workshops funded by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust provide opportunities for training and collaboration on data analysis, giving the interviewers detailed insight into how data is interpreted and refined for presentation and the process of identifying and composing recommendations. They are supported to increase their contribution to the interpretation of data and composition of recommendations through this process.
A new survey seeks to gather the views of members of the Church of Ireland on ethnic diversity, inclusion and racial justice. The initiative of the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd John McDowell, follows discussions with members and clergy and those serving in lay ministry from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds on the progress made within the Church on drawing on our rich diversity.
At the Church of Ireland’s most recent General Synod in September 2021, the Archbishop said: “It was a little troubling to hear about how we had not drawn anything like deeply enough on the rich diversity of backgrounds in our Church. The meeting had also helped me to understand how difficult it can be to be a person of colour on this island and even, at times, in our Church.”
The research now being carried out has been designed in collaboration with the group of ethnically diverse clergy and lay readers who have now met on a further occasion, and will, along with other strands, examine and make recommendations on how the Church of Ireland can become truly a place of welcome for those from every ethnic background, both lay and clergy.
Our team has worked with the Archbishop and working group since last year, considering the range of initiatives in this area undertaken previously and examining how to move forward on an all-island basis with the support of the wider Church membership. The Archbishop hopes to publish the results of the report and recommendations at the upcoming General Synod 2022.
HUGE THANKS to everyone who worked with us in 2021.
It’s been an incredibly busy year for us, and a very satisfying one! We added two full-time staff this year, and have employed a further 9 project staff. And we hope to continue to further our work on equity, inclusion and justice in 2022 with an expanded team!
Our clients this year in Ireland, the UK and Europe included:
