Is road safety worse in the border region?
20th September 2017
Death and serious injury from road traffic collisions (RTCs) are tragic events bringing untold pain and suffering on families. At the same time, through better
Latest Articles
Browse all the articles published on the Research Matters blog, with the most recent articles appearing at the top.
Learning disability in Northern Ireland: Where are we now?
22nd August 2017
This article was written by second year Ulster University Student Michael McVeigh (Health and Social Care Policy), based on a research report completed while on
European Arrest Warrant: What next for Northern Ireland post-Brexit?
5th July 2017
Mutual recognition and co-operation underpin many EU law provisions. This article looks at some of the legislative options for one particular provision following Brexit; the
Are composite classes bad for children?
29th June 2017
In 2016 the former Minister for Education, Peter Weir MLA, spoke of wanting to address composite classes, whereby a single teacher is responsible for two
General election 2017: A detailed look at the result in Northern Ireland
20th June 2017
The Westminster general election of 8 June 2017 resulted in a ‘hung parliament’, with the Conservatives as the largest party but without an overall majority.
What goods does Northern Ireland export, how much are they worth and where do they go?
14th June 2017
Please note: we have posted a new version of this blog article using the most recent HMRC annual trade data, see here. This blog post
Is it appropriate ‘to let’ residential letting agents in Northern Ireland away with lighter touch regulation?
18th May 2017
The private rented sector plays a vital role in the Northern Ireland housing market. There has been a focus on the regulation of the sector
‘Free’ sugar…but can we afford it?
2nd May 2017
Evidence shows that many of us are consuming too much of a certain type of sugar known as ‘free sugar’. This article asks what the
How do you control a space invader? The problem of Japanese Knotweed in Northern Ireland
24th April 2017
Since the introduction of Japanese Knotweed as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, it has spread throughout watercourses, transport routes and waste ground, out-competing
How much change can we expect to current environmental requirements post Brexit?
24th March 2017
As the Prime Minister prepares to trigger Article 50, this blog post looks at the potential consequences for environmental standards here in Northern Ireland.
From an economic to an industrial strategy
23rd March 2017
Following on from a recent blog post on ‘a revised strategy for Northern Ireland’s Economy’, this post looks at the Department for the Economy’s draft
World Trade Organisation and the implications for Northern Ireland trade
23rd March 2017
During a House of Commons debate on Article 50 in February 2017, Brexit Minister, David Jones, confirmed that if the UK failed to secure a
What now for direct support to farmers in Northern Ireland post-Brexit?
22nd March 2017
A key issue within Northern Ireland since the UK’s decision to leave the EU in June 2016 is exactly how this decision will affect local
Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (3): Barriers to accessing mental health services and the role of the voluntary sector
21st March 2017
This is the third in a series of articles on mental health and illness in Northern Ireland. Following posts on the overall strategies for mental health
Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (2): Service provision, care pathways, recovery focus
21st March 2017
This is the second in a series of articles regarding mental health and illness in Northern Ireland. Recently, we provided an overview of mental health
How can the Department for Infrastructure fund delivery of its infrastructure pipeline?
20th March 2017
Northern Ireland’s infrastructure development was neglected for decades. There are now plans in place to rectify this but how this will be funded remains uncertain.
Has transport investment been a priority for the Northern Ireland Executive? A comparison of transport expenditure across the UK
20th March 2017
Overall public spending per capita is higher in Northern Ireland than in any of the other UK regions. However, the proportion which is spent on
Transferred votes in the March 2017 Assembly Election
16th March 2017
Transferred votes are an extremely important part of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. In the 2017 Assembly Election, only 18 MLAs had a sufficient
Allied Health Professions in Northern Ireland: Their role in reform of primary and community care
15th March 2017
This article looks at the issues faced by Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in Northern Ireland in supporting patients in primary and community care. It sets
‘Housing First’: An alternative approach to addressing homelessness?
14th March 2017
Homelessness strategies across Europe have traditionally focused on a housing-led approach. This approach prioritises treatment and addiction recovery. Service users transition through stages of temporary accommodation
The many faces of homelessness in Northern Ireland
13th March 2017
Homelessness is a highly emotive issue and attention on the plight of those who are homeless in Northern Ireland has gained particular momentum over recent
After Brexit – what will remain?
10th March 2017
Following the referendum in June 2016, the UK Prime Minister has stated that Article 50, the trigger mechanism for withdrawal from the EU, will be
Who has the power of the purse if the Assembly does not agree a budget?
9th March 2017
Piecing together a budget is one of the most fundamental activities of government. But in Northern Ireland (NI) there is currently neither a government nor
How big is the gender pay gap in NI’s public and private sectors?
8th March 2017
By Aidan Stennett & Eóin Murphy Please note: we have posted a new version of this blog article using the most recent data, see here. This
The representation of women in public life: where does Northern Ireland stand (now)?
8th March 2017
Please note that more up-to-date statistics on gender representation can be found in the RaISe research paper Who Runs Northern Ireland? A Summary of Statistics
Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (1): Overview – related strategy and reports
8th March 2017
This article is the first in a series looking at mental health and illness in Northern Ireland, covering relevant reviews, policies, reports, services, treatments and
Cross-border child protection in the EU
6th March 2017
A significant number of European Union laws and policies have a direct role in protecting and promoting children’s rights. What has the EU achieved in
Northern Ireland’s health crisis: can pharmacists relieve the pressure on GPs?
6th March 2017
The growing pressure on primary healthcare services is reported in the media on an almost daily basis – a key reason being that people are
Breastfeeding welcome here?
16th January 2017
Breastfeeding in public is often a topic for debate. Although a very personal decision for parents, breastfeeding in public spaces is viewed as a social
A revised strategy for Northern Ireland’s Economy
6th December 2016
By Eóin Murphy, Michael Scholes, and Aidan Stennett The Northern Ireland Executive is currently revising its Economic Strategy. What are the key factors it should