The Legacy of ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland: Health Inequalities and Qualitative Research Methods

Students on the following programmes that will be in their second or third year of study in the 2024-2025 academic year are eligible to apply: BSc Health and Wellbeing in Society; BA Politics and International Relations; BA History: BA History & Politics and International Relations; BSc Psychology (Level 5, level 6 students enrolled on PSYC3018 Psychology of Health and Illness); BA Criminology (including ‘Criminology with’ programmes). There is a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

Trip description

This trip offers students across a wide range of programmes to learn about the historical and political context of Northern Ireland during and since the period known as ‘The Troubles’ which saw mass political unrest, violence and terrorism resulting in the deaths of over 3,500 and a lasting legacy of political instability and ongoing health inequalities.

In partnership with Queens University Belfast (QUB) and with potential expert contributions from academics and specialists in: Conflict/Northern Ireland politics, General Practice, Pharmacy, Medical Sociology as well as and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Students on this trip will have the opportunity to explore the impact social division along political and religious lines has on the delivery and experience of health and healthcare.

As well as expert/practitioner led lectures and seminars, students will also take part in workshops exploring how novel qualitative research methods (such as life histories, photographic methods and ethnography) can help us understand the lived experience of people in Northern Ireland in the past as well as present.

Additional key activities include visiting key sites across the city of Belfast, undertaking the three hour ‘Belfast Political Tour: Conflicting Stories’ (£23) to include sites of historical significance like the peace wall, Milltown Cemetery, west and east Belfast murals, as well as a visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol (£20) which interned many political prisoners. A highlight of the trip will be a guided tour of key sights delivered by DMU’s own expert on ‘The Troubles’, Dr Andrew Sanders.

Learning objectives

This DMU Global experience will offer students the opportunity to undertake a scholarly interrogation of the role that inequality plays in health outcomes in a deeply divided society; and will assist them in developing a detailed understanding of one of the longest running active conflicts in UK history.

Via in person visits to key political, criminal and historical sites, and through the examination of secondary source material gathered by novel qualitative methods, students will develop a keen awareness of the lived experience of the people of NI both now and in the past which has been shaped by political violence and social conflict.

Students will get the opportunity to hear from expert practitioners in NI healthcare settings, develop critical thinking skills, and learn about advanced research methods with their peers across different courses and faculties ultimately giving them the opportunity to think broadly about the career and employment options open to them at the end of their period of study.

Cultural activities

There will also be free time during the trip to visit to the Linen Hall Library, oldest independent library in Belfast (first opened 1788). Students will have an organised visit to Belfast City Hall and there will be free time to go to the Titanic Museum and Game of Thrones experience.