Latest Articles
Latest Articles
Following on from the discussion in our last blog post – Defining arts and culture in Northern Ireland – Members may wish to consider the financial structures underpinning Northern…
With a new arts policy expected in Spring 2026, under the Department for Communities’ Heritage, Culture and Creativity Framework, this blog article – the first of two such posts…
This article provides an overview of the health of Northern Ireland’s marine and freshwater fish stocks, summarising the key information from recent assessments and outlining the governance landscape shaping…
Public investment in arts and cultural services
20th April 2026
Following on from the discussion in our last blog post – Defining arts and culture in Northern Ireland – Members may wish to consider the
Defining arts and culture in Northern Ireland
17th April 2026
With a new arts policy expected in Spring 2026, under the Department for Communities’ Heritage, Culture and Creativity Framework, this blog article – the first
Northern Ireland’s marine and freshwater fish stocks: An overview of current health and management
15th April 2026
This article provides an overview of the health of Northern Ireland’s marine and freshwater fish stocks, summarising the key information from recent assessments and outlining
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
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.
It seems ages since the Chancellor delivered her Spring Statement on 26 March 2025. And now the Chancellor has significantly more factors to address in the aftermath of the
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
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
People in Northern Ireland can now expect to live into their late seventies and early eighties, yet only to around age 60 in good health. This means many spend
The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (‘the Bill’) is currently being considered by the Assembly. This blog article provides a brief