The Welfare State is perhaps the biggest social policy success of the post-war generation. The ARK Ageing Programme is pleased to invite Dr. Eve Worth (University of Exeter), author of The Welfare State Generation: Women, Agency and Class in Britain since 1945 to present evidence of the impact of the welfare state on the progress of women as individual agents and important workers in public sector jobs.

In this event, we will discuss whether the welfare state is worth saving, and what role each generation can play in maintaining social cohesion in a time of insecurity.

The seminar will be held on Wednesday 24 April 2024, from 10.15 to 12.00, in the Linen Hall Library, 7 Donegall Square N, Belfast BT1 5GB. Refreshments will be available from 9.30. Places are free, but must be booked in advance using the link below.

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Conflict Textiles - an Associated Site of CAIN - is home to a large collection of international textiles, exhibitions and associated events, all focusing on elements of conflict and human rights abuses. ARK is delighted to announce the second installation of a rotating exhibition in the McClay Library at Queen's University.

This installation by older arpilleristas/textile artists portrays their range of intergenerational concerns: the impact of dementia; the urgent need to safeguard our planet; the importance of building strong connections in challenging times; and ways of uncovering and better understanding violent periods in history.

The themes depicted through these textiles, connect to ARK's annual public attitudes surveys.

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ARK Co-Directors Ann Marie Gray and Paula Devine are Co-Investigators on a major new project to set up a research and policy action group to tackle economic inactivity.

Led by Professor Kristel Miller from Ulster University, EPIC Futures NI brings together the Departments for Communities, Finance and Economy, academics from Queen's and Ulster Universities, and a wide range of community, education and business groups to inform policy change to support people back into work. The project will facilitate further research into future skills needs, lifelong learning, labour market inclusion for vulnerable groups and regional balance. A key product will be a Labour Market Observatory, an online resource improving knowledge on current and future skills needs. This three-year Local Policy Innovation Partnership is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Follow EPIC Futures NI on X/Twitter @EPICFuturesNI

International Women's Day was celebrated on 8 March, to recognise the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women. Although we see greater gender equality across different issues, there is a need for ongoing work in some areas to address barriers to gender equality.

ARK acknowledges the centrality of gender to social issues. For example, all our survey results are available to explore online according to the gender of respondents. Relevant survey topics include gender-based violence. Other projects highlight the potential of gender budgeting.

ARK is Northern Ireland's social policy hub. Established in 2000 by researchers at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, its primary goal is to increase the accessibility and use of academic data and research. Most of our dissemination is via our website at www.ark.ac.uk, which is divided into five main areas:

• Surveys
• Projects
• Resources
• Publications
• Events

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