{jcomments off}Following the event ‘Men, In/fertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies’, hosted at De Montfort University in April 2012, a selection of papers presented at this event were published as a symposium collection in the September 2013 issue of Reproductive BioMedicine Online.  The guest editors for the symposium were Prof Lorraine Culley, Dr Nicky Hudson (De Montfort University) and Dr Maria Lohan (Queen’s University Belfast).

{jcomments off}In July 2010, blind adventure athlete Mark Pollock fell from a second story window.  He cracked his skull, his chest and torso filled with blood, and his back was broken in three places.  He had no feeling from the waist down.  For six months after the accident, Mark lay in hospital.  As his mind battled to accept reality and find positivity, his body was further hit with recurring infections.  Mark lost three stone and, with it, he almost lost the will to go on.  But he was not beaten.  Mark’s supporters created the Mark Pollock Trust and Run in the Dark to fund his ambition to walk again.  Now Mark is using his body for research - as he walks in Ekso robotic legs and follows an aggressive physical therapy programme.  You are invited to help raise money for the Mark Pollock Trust and Wings for Life - the global spinal injury research charity - by entering this year’s ‘Run in the Dark’.  This will take place on Wednesday 13th November 2013, at 7.30pm, in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.  There are both 5K and 10K runs on offer.  For more information, visit: www.runinthedark.org

{jcomments off}The National Children’s Bureau NI (NCB NI), Public Health Agency (PHA) and Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH) invite you to a seminar titled: ‘Down but not out: Youth Depression and Suicide’.  This event will focus upon the promotion of positive mental and emotional wellbeing among young people, and the guest speaker is Ian Manion (PhD, CPsych), Executive Director, Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health.  This seminar will take place on Thursday 3rd October 2013, from 10.30am - 1.00pm, in NCB’s offices at Albany House, 73-75 Great Victoria Street, Belfast.  To register, contact Owen Whitford at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 27th September.

{jcomments off}Open Access (OA) is the immediate, freely available, online access to research outputs.  These outputs include peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers and datasets of various types.  The restrictions to use - commonly imposed by publisher copyright, patents or other mechanisms of control - do not apply.  This seminar is part of Open Access Week - a global opportunity to learn more about the benefits of OA - and is being co-hosted by the Institute of Public Health and the Regional Library in Dr Steevens’ Hospital.  It will take place on Tuesday 22nd October 2013 in St. Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin.  To register your interest, contact Louise Bradley at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  /  Tel: 01 478 6307.

{jcomments off}A new special issue of the Journal of Family Issues (August 2013) explores men’s roles in matters related to family planning, conception, abortion, adoption and preparing for childbirth.  The issue arose from a panel at the International Sociology Association World Conference in Buenos Aires in 2012.  The guest editors of the collection are Dr Maria Lohan (Queen’s University Belfast), Prof William Marsiglio (University of Florida) and Prof Lorraine Culley (De Monfort University).

{jcomments off}Tuesday 10th September 2013 is World Suicide Prevention Day.  This day will be marked at Belfast City Hall from 4.30pm - 7.00pm with a family friendly event offering a wide range of activities which will engage children, youth and adults.  The event is free of charge, and will involve live music, stilt walkers, craft activities, face painting, Segways, a climbing wall, BMX track, information stands and refreshments.  Dame Mary Peters will be attending this event.

{jcomments off}Have you been affected by cancer? ...  If so, you are invited to an event in the Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre (Queen’s University Belfast) and have your say.  You’ll get to have your voice heard, meet others affected by cancer, hear about Cancer Research UK's work, and help them to beat cancer sooner.  They'll also give you lunch and pay for your travel.  Events are being held throughout the UK to let everyone know about the latest research, information and campaigns.  You’ll get the chance to meet new people, and talk to researchers and nurses over an informal lunch.  There'll also be connections with other Cancer Research UK Centres and sharing ideas through live links.  This free event will take place on Friday 6th September 2013, from 10.00am - 3.30pm, in Queen’s University Belfast.  Book your free place at: http://yoursay.eventbrite.co.uk  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 0300 1231022 (standard call charges apply).

{jcomments off}The Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Health Improvement Department will be running a conference in Derry / Londonderry on Friday 11th October 2013 to explore the need for increasing men’s health initiatives in their catchment area as well as the opportunities for doing so.  Keynote speakers will include Dr Paul Darragh (Chairperson of the British Medical Association’s Northern Ireland Council) and Professor Rory O’Connor (University of Glasgow, and President Elect of the International Academy of Suicide Research).  For more information, visit: www.mhfi.org/WHSCToctober2013.pdf