Researcher Edel Quinn joins the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation

Independent consultant Edel Quinn has joined the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation as a Research Associate.

A solicitor who graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast, Edel was Strategic Policy Advisor for Age NI, where her research and policy papers included age discrimination, poverty and social inclusion, health and social care, and age-friendly communities.

She also held the post of Policy Manager and Senior Management Team member at Include Youth, where she led strategic policy and public affairs work, focusing on youth justice, employability, participation and children’s rights.

Dr Anthony Soares, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, said: “Edel brings extensive experience of working in the community and voluntary sector. Her legal training and experience have provided a solid foundation for her research and consultancy work.

“Edel’s expertise in policy, advocacy, qualitative and quantitative research, public affairs and campaigning complement the work of the Centre and the other Senior Research Associates and Research Associates working with us. In 2020, she published the first research in Northern Ireland into loneliness. Since 2018 she has worked with a range of non-government organisations in England and across Ireland, north and south. At Queen’s University and Ulster University she was a guest lecturer on children’s rights and youth justice.”

Edel added: “I’m delighted to be working with Anthony and the team at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation. My research on frailty in older age, adult social care, age discrimination, mental health, human rights and equality, youth justice, poverty and social exclusion, bereavement, and women in the construction industry have focused on protecting human rights, tackling inequalities and promoting participation.”

Edel is an Associate Consultant with the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Leadership Centre. She has been a member of the boards of Children’s Law Centre (Northern Ireland), Organisation of the Unemployed (Northern Ireland), Breaking Through (Ireland) and National Association of Youth Justice (UK).