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Social Inclusion Research Unit

SIRU

The Social Inclusion Research Unit (SIRU) was set up under a Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) Research Capacity Development Initiative in 2003 with the aim of developing, carrying out and disseminating research in the area of social inequalities.

Located in Wrexham, North Wales, SIRU is well placed to provide research and evaluation to a geographical region which in the past has experienced a dearth of research resources. Much research expertise in Wales is located in the south of the country and particularly associated with the capital city, Cardiff. There are, however, important cultural and linguistic differences between North and South Wales, which SIRU is well qualified to address.

Centre members are familiar with regional/local diversity and deliver a bilingual research service.

SIRU seeks to:

  • contribute to greater understanding of issues affecting the life opportunities and experiences of the people of Wales;
  • service the research needs of local, national and international stakeholders;
  • develop the critical mass of research active staff at Glyndŵr University;
  • promote research to inform and underpin curricula;
  • achieve recognition as a centre of research excellence.

SIRU’s director Professor Odette Parry has a substantive background in two areas of health and social care research (namely education and health promotion) and her current research interests focus upon social inequalities and risk related behaviours.

SIRU reaches out to all staff and postgraduates with research interests in a sociology, social policy, criminal justice and youth and community. Core menbers of SIRU are Dr Iolo Madoc-Jones, Dr Sarah Dubberley, Emily Warren, Caroline Hughes, Dr Caroline Gorden and Wulf Livingston

Professor Andrew Pithouse: Professor of Social Work, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University is visiting Professor to SIRU and has contributed to past and on-going SIRU research projects including: the Development of the Common Assessment Framework; the evaluation of a CAFCASS Family Dispute Resolution pilot programme in North Wales; and Delivery and Receipt of the DofE in the Secure Estate.