Publications

The first seven months of the restored Northern Ireland Executive

Pivotal’s new tracker report reviews actions taken by the Northern Ireland Executive since its return in February 2024, and considers the priorities ahead.

Economic inactivity in Northern Ireland

This report looks at economic inactivity in Northern Ireland – what it means, why it matters, what the data tell us, and how policies might respond

The return of Stormont – time for real change

Pivotal’s new Briefing welcomes the return of Stormont, but emphasises that it needs to work differently from before

Youth solutions for building better communities in Northern Ireland

Young people tell us their views and experiences of their communities, along with their ideas for change.

Youth solutions: Improving education, training and employment in Northern Ireland

Young people tell us their views and experiences of education, training and employment, along with their ideas for change.

Governing without government: the consequences

This new Pivotal Briefing looks at decision–making in Northern Ireland in the absence of an Executive or ministers, giving an assessment of the impact on public services.

Youth voices: life, work and study in Northern Ireland

This reports gives results from our recent survey of young people’s views on life, work and study.

Reconciliation and deprivation: twin challenges for Northern Ireland

This report looks at the twin challenges of promoting reconciliation and tackling deprivation in Northern Ireland.

Who is governing Northern Ireland?

This Briefing looks at who is taking decisions in Northern Ireland in the absence of an Executive, Assembly and ministers. It considers the implications for effective government and public services here.

Governing without Ministers – Northern Ireland after 28 October

After 28 October, Northern Ireland’s ‘caretaker’ ministers will no longer be in post, leaving civil servants as the only decision makers. This briefing paper looks at what this means for government in Northern Ireland and makes some suggestions about the way forward.

Governing Northern Ireland without an Executive

Northern Ireland has ‘caretaker’ ministers but no Executive or Assembly. This briefing paper provides evidence and analysis about how this form of government is working. It looks at what ministers, civil servants and MLAs are able to do, and ends with ideas about how best to proceed.

Post–election policy priorities for Northern Ireland

As the May election approaches, this new report explores the main policy priorities facing a new Assembly and Executive. It explores immediate and longer term challenges in health, education, climate change and the economy. The report emphasises the important of an Executive being formed after the election to provide proper government for Northern Ireland.

Should I stay or should I go? Reasons for leaving Northern Ireland for study or work

In this new research we present data from students about reasons for leaving Northern Ireland for study elsewhere. Our research also explores what might motivate people to return home after graduation or later in life. We conclude with solutions from young people and diaspora to retain talent in Northern Ireland.

Transforming the 14–19 education and skills system in Northern Ireland – youth voices and solutions

This report documents experiences and perceptions of current education and training provision for young people with key recommendations for change. We worked with young people, parents and carers, teachers, employers and other professionals to develop evidence based policy recommendations for change in the education and skills system for 14–19 years.

Pivotal Tracker – policy priorities for Northern Ireland September 2021

This short tracker report reviews the Executive’s performance in 2021 so far and suggests priorities for the future. It has a particular focus on Northern Ireland’s long–term policy challenges in health, education, economy, infrastructure, climate change and environment. In the absence of a Programme for Government, the report considers whether the commitments in New Decade, New Approach have been achieved.

Retaining and regaining talent

Pivotal’s latest report explores the key factors associated with the educational migration of students from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. The report concludes with five key areas where further research is needed which we will explore in our upcoming research.

Imagine Change: Youth perspectives on government in Northern Ireland and priorities for the future

The project was established as a collaboration between TEDx Derry Londonderry and Pivotal. The project explores young people’s perspectives on government in Northern Ireland and their ideas for creating change within the North West.

New Decade, New Approach – one year on

Pivotal’s new report looks back on the year since the return of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020 and considers priorities for 2021

Education, skills and training for young people aged 14–19 years old

Our report includes a review of evidence and policy on key issues in education, skills and training for young people aged 14–19 years old. The report concludes with five key areas where reforms are needed, which we will explore further in our upcoming research in 2021.

Priorities for recovery

Read our most recent report, a briefing paper for the Northern Ireland Executive’s return from recess

Covid–19 in Northern Ireland– a new economic vision

This is the second report in Pivotal’s series of briefing papers on Northern Ireland’s social and economic recovery from Covid–19.

Covid–19 in Northern Ireland: moving out of lockdown

This is the first in a series of Pivotal reports on how Northern Ireland recovers from Covid–19.

Good Government in Northern Ireland

Pivotal’s second report looks at good government in Northern Ireland.

Moving forward – putting Northern Ireland on track for the future.

Pivotal’s first report sets out the economic and social challenges facing Northern Ireland.