2nd October 1998

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The University of Ulster has announced details of some of the latest projects in its multi-million pound research programme.

The projects to be researched cover a variety of social and economic issues, including public attitudes with the province, under age sex, and autism.

Life and Times

Along with Queen's University it has received more than £270,000 for a Northern Ireland Life and Times survey which will involve interviewing more than 2000 adults and 500 young people on a whole range of issues such as politics, housing, gender, community relations and children's rights.

The project, which will begin this month, will be led by Dr Gillian Robinson. She says its aim is to place on record the social attitudes of all groups within Northern Ireland during the late 1990s and into the Millennium.

"It will also be unique in that the results will be published on the internet and made publicly available." She said.

Autism

The University has also released details of a major study into the treatment of autism here funded by four health and social services boards, two education and library boards and a range of health and social service trusts into the treatment of autism here.

The research, which is being led by Professor David Sines, has already identified serious gaps in the treatment of children suspected of having the condition and has called on the relevant professionals to re focus their activity:

"We found evidence where parents of children with suspected autism often transferred from one area to another and on occasion had to wait up to five years before getting a proper diagnosis. Some professionals just seemed reluctant to make that diagnosis."

Under Age Sex

The Department of Education (NI) has funded a research project to look at ways in which schools can deal with the major health problems facing young people. It will be led by Dr Gerry McAleavy:

"This latest project has arisen from earlier research we carried out in north and west Belfast which confirmed that some of the health issues which face young people, such as substance abuse, drug taking and sexual relations begin around the age of 12 or 13.

"Now we want to see if there are ways to help schools combat these problems. In particular, we are looking at the possibility of drawing up specific guidelines for the Northern Ireland Curriculum."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk