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Uncovering the role of emotion norms in conflict transformation (Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation).

Whereas most previous studies on social norms have focused on people’s perception of relevant others’ beliefs and behaviours, the role of emotional social influence in conflict resolution has thus far been less studied. Addressing this gap, the proposed project examines the role of emotion norms in shaping support for conflict-related policies across multiple conflict-affected societies. We will address three key research questions. First, we will examine how emotion norms relate to personal emotions and support for conflict-related policies, and whether they affect policy attitudes over and above the impact of personal emotions and other types of social norms. Second, we will examine how emotion norms develop over time and how they are affected by conflict-related events. Third, we will test whether changing people’s perception of emotion norms can influence personal emotions and foster support for constructive conflict-related policies. We will address these questions with a comparative research design in eleven conflict affected societies, six with an ongoing conflict (Colombia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Israel, Turkey, and India) and five in a post-conflict stage (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Thailand, and Northern Ireland). We will employ correlational and experimental designs, and a quasi-experimental design drawing on temporal variation to study the prevalence, impact and causes of emotion norms with large nationally representative or diverse samples of respondents (with a total target sample of over 30’000 respondents).

Primary research with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (‘UASC’) and UASC carers to support service evaluation in the East Midlands. (Funded by the East Midlands Councils)

The project aims to examine the experiences of UASC and former UASC care leavers in order to understand their short and longer term outcomes (educational, health, legal, social integration), specific needs and how they are met, as well as existing service gaps and barriers to accessing such services. Attention will be paid to service gaps and issues as well as good practice and effectiveness of UASC placements for all settings. If feasible at least three locations will be chosen to ensure the research can capture unique features of smaller vs larger local authorities, and those based in an urban, urban rural mix and rural local authority.

The psychological impact of documenting historical trauma (Funded by BA/Leverhulme)

Addressing the long-term impact of historical trauma (from war, colonisation, dictatorship) is not possible without accounting for the additional distress generated by lack of justice. Many survivors remain preoccupied with justice long after the traumatic events themselves draw to a close, but psychologists rarely investigate the collective impact of injustice. The present work will use an in-depth qualitative approach to examine the intergenerational impact of one particular transitional justice mechanism (documenting the trauma) on a) health and wellbeing and b) relationships with perpetrating group. The present research is interdisciplinary and collective-focused in recognition of the socio-political and group nature of historical trauma. Study 1 will explore the psychological consequences of participating in documenting trauma, and Study 2, the psychological consequences of intergenerational trauma knowledge transfer. Results will inform a) psychological interventions to support the survivors, and b) political and legal decisions on implementing transitional justice after mass human rights violations.

Longitudinal evaluation of Hope Projects (West Midlands) (Funded by HOPE projects)

The HOPE project provides accommodation and access to legal advice whilst informing service users about the legal process and equipping with the knowledge to better understand their case. The evaluation is designed to assess outcomes of the project and considers the following questions:
1. How effective is Hope’s legal advice service in progressing the legal case of individuals subject to flawed asylum decisions?
2. How effective is Hope’s legal advice service in promoting clients’
3. understanding of their legal case and what they can do to progress their case?
4. To what extent is the legal service effective in improving clients’ material circumstances, in particular in helping clients avoid destitution and street homelessness and secure sustainable forms of statutory support?
5. What are clients’ experiences of Hope’s legal service?
6. What are the legal, policy and practice implications of this longitudinal evaluation for Hope Ltd., it’s local partners and wider stakeholders, and national government?