Professor Phil Nyden (Chair

Phil is currently Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL) at Loyola University Chicago.   CURL is a non-traditional research center that involves community partners in all stages of research from conceptualization and research design to data analysis and report dissemination.  Among his publications are Building Community: Social Science in Action, co-editor (Pine Forge Press, 1997), "Collaborative Research: Harnessing the Tensions Between Researcher and Practitioner" which appeared in The American Sociologist.  He has also done extensive research on what produces stable racially, ethnically, and economically diverse communities in the U.S.  Nyden is currently involved in activist researcher networks linking community-based research across regional and national boundaries.  With colleagues at the University of Technology Sydney Shopfront (Australia) he co-edits a new journal, Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement.

 

Ms Laura Hawthone, Queen’s University Student Union

Laura Hawthorne is Vice President for Community at the Queen’s University Student Union. During her time at Queen’s she has been involved in various student groups. She was a member of the Christian Union, starting her own subject based small group in second year and leading the night time initiative “Late Love” in her final year assistance to anyone in need on a night out. She was a member of Amnesty International and held the post of secretary of the society in her final year. She also campaigned on issues such as “Stop Violence Against Women”, Student Action for Refugees and Human Rights issues in Burma.

 

Mr Mark Allen, Research Officer, Rural Community Network

Mark took up the post of Research Officer in June 2007 having previously been employed as Community Development Officer from 2002 with responsibility for weak community infrastructure. Prior to joining RCN, he spent over three years with the NI Rural Development Council as a community development officer involved in delivering the PlaNet capacity building programme to early stage development community groups. Mark studied at Queen’s University where he obtained a BA Hons in Geography and an MSc in Rural Development.  Mark represents the Rural Community Network on the NI Science Shop Advisory Group

 

 

Ms Claire Mulrone, Science Shop Co-ordinator, University of Ulster

Claire has been Co-ordinator of The Science Shop at the University of Ulster for over ten years.  Her remit involves working with students across all disciplines within the University.  Her focus has been on curriculum development and she has successfully embedded Science Shop project work in several academic areas including Geography and Communication and Marketing.  Claire has also been responsible for the recent rebranding of The Science Shop and has developed a range of publicity materials in this area.

 

Ms Claire McCallum, Communications Manager, Bryson Recycling

Claire has been working in the recycling industry for 8 years since completing a degree in Environmental Science. Claire joined Bryson Recycling in 2004 and is responsible for co-ordinating all company communications. Bryson Recycling is Northern Ireland’s leading recycling service and is a social enterprise company.  Profits from the company go back into the Bryson Charitable Group, one of Northern Ireland’s longest established charities.

 

Ms Janine Fullerton

Janine is the Head of the Community Support Team at the Voluntary Community Unit of Department for Social Development NI.  Her remit covers policy work on volunteering, voluntary advice services and all aspects of the voluntary and community unit’s work with local councils on community support issues.  Prior to this Janine has worked extensively in the voluntary and community sector as Co-ordinator of the Northern Neighbourhood Health Action Zone and with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.

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