Mitchell Institute Fellows Dr Ciaran Mulholland and Dr Michael Duffy were invited to present keynote addresses at a discussion event on Delivering a Trauma and Resiliency Informed Service, convened by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) on 5 November 2025 at Riddell Hall, QUB. The main focus of the event was to discuss Trauma Informed Engagement with Victims and Survivors and how a trauma and resiliency informed approach is applied in Commission investigations.

Ciaran presented a perspective of supporting victims and survivors of the Troubles/Conflict, sharing data from the work of the Regional Trauma Network.

Michael’s presentation was on differentiating between Trauma and Grief linked to conflict – understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder and its relationship to traumatic loss.

Michael presented a webinar as part of the UK Trauma Council online event on Addressing Intergenerational Trauma - Resilience and Recovery on 23 October 2025. The event explored how trauma passes from one generation to the next and what is needed to support healing in communities affected by systemic harm. Drawing on experiences from Northern Ireland and the Windrush community, our speakers will reflect on the lasting impact of state violence and its ripple effects.

Michael reported from QUB research and clinical work on the Northern Ireland experiences of intergenerational trauma, and included an impressive study that our colleague Montse Fargas, undertook with children and parents in 2015. The co-presenter was Rochelle Burgess, Associate Professor in Global Health at the Institute for Global Health at UCL, who presented her current research with the Windrush scandal survivors. The recorded webinar explored how trauma passes from one generation to the next and what is needed to support healing in communities affected by systemic harm. It is still available online at the UKTC

Michael was the invited keynote speaker for the NeuroCon 25, Neuroscience conference organised by MindLifeline, a nonprofit NGO based in France, that aims to advance neuroscience and neuropsychology through accessible communication and education. Held over three days from 23-25 October 2025, the conference explored the theme of Trauma - the neuroscience of the brain under stress. The conference brought together leading researchers and practitioners from around the world to share their latest findings and insights.

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