Mark is a freelance researcher. At present he is helping to develop proposals for community projects in Northern Ireland’s main fishing ports with the goal of securing funding from the European Fisheries Fund. Plans will be drawn up in cooperation with local government, the fishing industry and community groups in Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie.
Other research projects in which Mark has been involved include a study of the adequacy of pension provision for women in the UK and Ireland, an investigation into the impact of Women’s Land Army membership on gender roles during and in the aftermath of the Second World War and a paper on social work in societies experiencing political conflict.
Mark is also employed on a casual basis by an outdoor pursuits retailer. Previously, he spent six years as a journalist in the local press and four years working for a wholesale outlet.
Mark Simpson 