We were delighted to welcome so many people to UCD in December to the joint conference of the Children’s Research Network and University College Dublin Childhood and Human Development Research Centre (UCD CHiLD-RC). The conference theme was "Disrupted Lives: Inequalities and Disadvantages for Children and Youth on the Island of Ireland".

At our first in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic, we chose to highlight the significant political, environmental, economic and social disruption that impacts the lives of children. Our first keynote speaker, Dr Naomi Feely from the Children’s Rights Alliance, focused on children’s rights and the issues in Ireland that impact the rights of children and young people. Our second keynote speaker was Dr Ike Okafor, Consultant In Paediatric Emergency Medicine and Clinical Director at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), Dublin. Dr Okafor detailed how various factors such as socioeconomic status and disability can adversely affect the health and medical outcomes of children presenting to CHI at Temple Street.

The research presented over the course of the day provided delegates with an understanding of children's experiences and how these disruptions have affected them. Feedback from delegates on the day was overwhelmingly positive and everyone enjoyed catching up with colleagues and friends. Additional information on the conference can be found in the CRN Winter 2022 Newsletter.