Supporting academics and policymakers in sharing evidence-based research and ideas on the major social, cultural and economic challenges facing society regionally, nationally and beyond. Our over-arching vision is to share the University’s independent expertise with policymakers so they can make informed decisions about the most effective and sustainable ways to tackle these challenges, now and in the future.


Having been a founder member, can the UK once again become a member of EFTA after it leaves the EU asks Professor David Phinnemore.

The willingness of Mohammed bin Salman to embark on a series of moves against Iranian power in the Middle East already shows evidence of severe miscalculation says Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards.

Professor David Phinnemore argues that at the heart of the commitment of all parties involved in the exit negotiations is the desire to ensure that Brexit does not in any way undermine the Northern Ireland peace process.

Dr Luke Moffett and Prof Kieran McEvoy look at the implications of the Secretary of State’s recent announcement that a public consultation on dealing with the past will go ahead in the coming weeks.

Following a recent trip to Sabah, Dr Joshua Twining looks at why lizards appear to be particularly at home in the oil palm plantations of Borneo.

Following the lack of sufficient progress in the Brexit negotiations announced at the recent European Council meeting, Professor Lee McGowan asks is it time for Britain to seriously question its position?

Following last month’s attack in Mocimboa da Praia in Northern Mozambique, Dr Eric Morier-Genoud looks at the rise of the Al-Shabaab group in the area.

As the Brexit negotiations continue and there’s still no sign of a deal at Stormont, Professor Lee McGowan reflects on what lies ahead for Northern Ireland and its main parties.

Given the current political forces in Baghdad and security realities in Mosul, an incremental approach is needed says Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards and Alexander Brammer.

At this stage of the exit negotiations, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is not a technical issue but a political one, argues Dr Katy Hayward.