Latest Articles
Latest Articles
Waiting lists are a familiar feature of health system debate in Northern Ireland. They are usually discussed in terms of numbers waiting and length of delay. These measures matter,…
Northern Ireland: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the largest global festival of Irish traditional music, language, and culture, organised by the non-profit cultural organisation,…
Homelessness is a significant problem in Northern Ireland, and is one of nine strategic priorities in the current Programme for Government. This article provides a brief profile of the…
The hidden costs of waiting: How backlogs shape health, inequality and care in Northern Ireland
23rd July 2026
Waiting lists are a familiar feature of health system debate in Northern Ireland. They are usually discussed in terms of numbers waiting and length of
The Fleadh, the Mòd and the Eisteddfod: Socio-economic considerations for national cultural festivals
23rd July 2026
Northern Ireland: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the largest global festival of Irish traditional music, language, and culture, organised by
Homelessness in Northern Ireland
23rd June 2026
Homelessness is a significant problem in Northern Ireland, and is one of nine strategic priorities in the current Programme for Government. This article provides a
Agriculture and Environment
In recent years, algal blooms have drawn large-scale notoriety and attention. We take a look at their global impact on areas of natural beauty.
We take a look at the economic and environmental impact of zebra mussels, an invasive aquatic species, across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Economy and Finance
Northern Ireland: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the largest global festival of Irish traditional music, language, and culture, organised by the non-profit cultural organisation,
The 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) was the first undertaken by a Labour Government since 2007, and was delivered amidst significant global challenges. In her speech on 11 June
“A changing world” and “a generational challenge” – that is how the Chancellor described the global political and economic landscape when delivering her Spring Statement on 26 March 2025.
Education and Skills
This blog article provides an overview of educational underachievement in Northern Ireland. It defines underachievement, examines the attainment gap between pupils entitled to free school meals and others, outlines
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming career guidance and is reshaping how students, professionals and employers navigate an increasingly complex job market. In Northern Ireland, this digital revolution presents both
The purpose of this blog article is threefold. First, we consider the important role which school governors play in the education system in Northern Ireland. Second, we examine the
Governance
Engagement with the academic community can be helpful for fostering informed discussions and decisions within the Northern Ireland Assembly. Academic research is typically robust and independent, offering evidence-based insights
The Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) partners with academia and other academic institutions under its ‘Programme of Academic Engagement’. Knowledge Exchange (KE) activities play a central role in
Health and Society
Waiting lists are a familiar feature of health system debate in Northern Ireland. They are usually discussed in terms of numbers waiting and length of delay. These measures matter,
Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care system is balancing the demands of today alongside the reforms needed for tomorrow. As waiting times in Northern Ireland remain significantly longer than
Childhood obesity is rising globally but the UK shows a different pattern Globally, rates of childhood overweight and obesity have increased sharply since 1990. Over this period, the share
Infrastructure
Road safety is an area of critical importance to policy makers. In Northern Ireland, road traffic collisions remain a leading cause of preventable death and serious injury, placing lasting