Queen’s Policy Engagement is the ‘front door’ for public policy engagement at Queen’s University Belfast
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.
Latest news and views…
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Brexit, Borders and Human Rights
The following article is based on a talk delivered at the British Academy and Royal Irish Academy Brexit and Borders Roundtable, held at Queen’s University Belfast on 17 February 2017. Professor Harvey would like to thank the participants for their thoughtful interventions and the organisers for arranging such a stimulating conversation.
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A unity referendum is not a silly idea
The idea of Irish unity is now being widely discussed, mainly as a result of the UK’s imminent withdrawal from the EU. As such, a case can be made for a referendum on unity says Professor Colin Harvey.
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Ireland is in prime position to profit from Brexit relocations
Dr Kieran Michael Conroy looks at how Ireland could be in the hot seat as businesses have already begun relocating some UK operations to other EU hubs as a result of Brexit.
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Do collective punishments in classrooms breach the Geneva Convention?
In light of the recent #Avagate storm on Twitter, Professor Laura Lundy looks at how children’s rights in the classroom should be protected to avoid them being punished for things they didn’t do!
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Credit Where Credit’s Due: the Trump Administration’s Proposals for Parental Leave
Professor Duncan McVicar looks at the Trump administration’s surprising call to introduce publicly-funded paid parental leave.
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The ethics and value of working with asylum seekers and refugees
Dr Fiona Murphy and Aylisha Hogan share their own personal experiences of working with Care4Calais in order to better the lives of refugees forced to live in the bleak conditions of a refugee camp.
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Voting Rights and Irish Presidential Elections: Time for Constitutional Change
This is an edited version of the Opening Statement delivered by Colin Harvey and Mark Bassett to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement (18 May 2017) dealing with the question of the right of Irish citizens resident outside of the state to vote in Presidential elections.
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The science of finding buried bodies
In light of the recent death of Ian Brady, Dr Alastair Ruffell and Dr Jamie Pringle from Keele University look at the science of finding buried bodies and asks how do you go about locating buried bodies particularly after many years?
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How science is helping the police search for bodies in water
Dr Alastair Ruffell looks at how by combining technology with traditional methods such as diving, we are getting better at finding victims of homicide or accidental drowning.
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Audits need to leap forward
When it comes to food integrity, food audits need to leap forward according to Professor Chris Elliott.