Ethos / Mission Statement

Ethos

There are a number of key features which characterise the Children's Research Centre's ethos:

• Child centred approach: The Centre has a strongly child centred perspective in the design and conduct of its research.
• Multidisciplinary perspectives: The Centre values the rich contribution of diverse disciplinary perspectives.
• Commitment to ethical standards: The Centre is committed to high ethical standards in the conduct of its work.
• Supportive work environment: The Centre promotes a strongly collegial and supportive environment for its staff.
• Partnership: Adopting a partnership approach to its work with funders and stakeholders.

Mission Statement

The Children's Research Centre undertakes multi-disciplinary policy and practice relevant research into the lives of children and young people, and the contexts within which they live their lives. In its work the Centre strives to produce high quality research of interest to researchers, policy makers and service providers. The Centre also aims to build capacity around researching children's lives. It works closely with statutory, voluntary and community bodies concerned with children. The Centre is also committed to forging strong links with Irish and international colleagues in the field of child and youth research.

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Children's Research Centre are as follows:

1. Conduct policy and practice relevant research on children and young people and on the family, community and other contexts in which children live their lives;
2. Promote child centred research that gives voice to the children's and young people's experience and perspective;
3. Integrate perspectives on children and childhoods from relevant disciplines;
4. Build capacity for research on children within the University and within Ireland more generally;
5. Build effective links with colleagues in the field of children's research internationally;
6. Maintain effective links with services and organisations concerned with provision for children;
7. Contribute to policy debates relevant to the work of the Centre.