26th May 1999

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The University of Ulster has announced details of its latest range of research projects, which have attracted more than £2 million pounds in funding from external organizations.

Among the issues to be researched will be the possible problems faced by controlled schools that decide to become integrated, the attitudes of the public in Northern Ireland to genetic testing and how consumers here view convenience food.

Integrated Education

The Nuffield Foundation have asked researchers at the University of Ulster to look at the issues faced by controlled schools, that traditionally have a population of Protestant pupils, when they decide to become integrated.

Dr Alan Smith, from the University's School of Education, is leading the work in partnership with Dr Tony Gallagher at Queen's University, Belfast. He says there are currently twelve schools in Northern Ireland that have embarked on the transformation process. Most of these have initiated the process within the past few years.

"Having decided to become integrated, these schools have a number of issues to address. Some are structural, for example, how does the composition of the student population change over time? How does the religious and cultural mix of the teaching staff and Board of Governors need to change and how do they go about it?

"These schools also have to consider what changes are needed in terms of the culture and ethos of the school. The challenge is how these transforming schools can become more inclusive and sensitive to diversity. This may include reviewing the role of symbols and relationships in the life of the school, as well as looking at what is taught and how it is taught," he said.

Genetic Testing

Another of the research projects will look at the issue of genetic testing and how it is viewed in Northern Ireland. The work will be lead by Gillian Robinson:

"Genetic testing is a very controversial area, whether it is used by parents to test the health and sex of their unborn child, by insurance companies when covering new customers or even by employers in vetting staff.

"No one has surveyed the attitudes of people in Northern Ireland to this issue. We are considered a very religious and conservative society but there is no data on how we might view this subject."

The project is part of the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey which this year plans to which involves interviewing more than 2000 adults and 500 young people on a range of issues is to look at attitudes to education and even 'grand parenting':

"It is important that policy makers here have properly documented research on local people's attitudes and experiences on a range of issues outside those which are normally in the headlines. That data will inform policy makers," she explained.

Shopping

The Consumer Studies department has begun a three year study to consider the factors impacting upon chilled food product development within the current retailing environment on the island of Ireland.

The comparatively recent entry of the UK multiples here has led to a corresponding increase in the range of chilled 'convenience' food products. As Heather McIlveen, who is leading the research says, "it is important to focus on how these consumers view convenience foods and on what factors influence their choices. These include issues such as the range of foods on offer, their quality and their value for money for example.

"It is this knowledge and understanding that can then be put to good use in optimising the product development process," she explained.

For further information, please contact:

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