Migration from Northern Ireland: narratives of exile, identity and belonging

Lead Research Organisation: Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of History and Anthropology

Abstract

An investigation of migration relating to Northern Ireland and its 'Diaspora, employing. Life narrative interviewing to record the experiences of Northern Irish people living abroad in jurisdictions where
Northern Protestants comprise a significant component of the Irish migrant group. The study will examine the relationship between emigration and return migration, the Northern Ireland conflict, the Peace Process and how the migration experience forefronts issues of political and religious identity and sectarianism.
 
Description This has led to the first published study of migration history and policy in Northern Ireland (Trew, 2013; 2016). The research also formed the basis of the recent 3-part television series, Brave New World Canada (Doubleband Films for BBC NI) broadcast in October and November 2015.
Exploitation Route The research findings by Trew are used by the media regularly - recent BBC iWonder Guide article on St. Patrick's Day to be published online on March 17, 2016. They have also featured in The Belfast Telegraph, on BBC NI radio and television for news stories about migration.
Sectors Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
URL http://www.dippam.ac.uk
 
Description Series of public events on NI migration have been and continue to be delivered by Trew for community groups (Ulster Local History Trust, Probus groups, local history societies. Most recently, Dr Trew was invited to present her research on NI migration at the National Museum of Ireland (Country Life), Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic of Ireland on Feb. 20, 2016. Dr Trew also presented the research findings to MLAs and NGOs at a seminar at the Stormont Assembly on Jan. 9, 2014.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services
 
Title SQL database to indexed audio 
Description JD Trew first developed the Narratives of Migration and Return (NMR) online web database, hosted by Queen's University Belfast. This was further developed into the Dippam web portal - which includes 3 databases: Enhanced British Parliamentary Papers on Ireland, The Irish Emigration Database, and Voices of Migration and Return (VMR). JD Trew was a key developer/designer of Dippam and most specifically the creator of the VMR audio database which provides searchable audio using complex indexed metadata within a SQL front end that then links to individual audio tracks (at the 2-3 min level), incorporating an audio player. NMR was an innovative development for 2006 when it was launched. This was further improved with the VMR product - am not aware of any other audio database that provides this level of search-ability and research access. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2010 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact It was developed with further AHRC funding into: Dippam: Documenting Ireland: Parliament, People and Migration, developed JD Trew in a team led by Prof. Peter Gray at Queen's University Belfast and launched in April 2011. 
URL http://www.dippam.ac.uk/