February 2016 - Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS)

Exploring Consumers’ Quality Perceptions of Local NI Food & Drink Produce

18th October 201724th February 2016 by Comms Office

Miss Rachel Malcolmson (Ulster) The Northern Ireland (NI) agri-food industry faces significant challenges in re-building consumer confidence in the quality and authenticity of food/drink products. However, increasing demand for authentic, high quality produce, paired with a renewed sense of food patriotism, presents new growth opportunities for local and artisan food/drink products to be promoted for … Read more

NI Skills barometer: Developing skills for tomorrow’s economy

18th October 201724th February 2016 by Comms Office

Mr Mark Magill (Ulster) This presentation addresses the widespread consensus on the value of skills both to the individual as well as the wider economy. It highlights how qualitative evidence from employers identifies skills shortages in a number of key sectors and occupations across the Northern Ireland (NI) economy. However, it notes the gap in … Read more

How can the NI economy become more competitive in the 21st century global economy?

18th October 201724th February 2016 by Comms Office

Prof Rob Gilles (QUB) The Northern Ireland (NI) economy competes in an increasingly complex global setting. Since 2007 the global economy seems to be in a perpetual state of volatility. This presentation addresses how recent developments in economics can help understand how businesses and economies compete in this global setting and how these insights can … Read more

Abortion Policy – Challenges and Opportunities

18th October 201710th February 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Fiona Bloomer (Ulster) and Dr Lesley Hoggart (OU) This presentation considers the development and implementation of abortion policy in Northern Ireland, setting it within all-Ireland, United Kingdom (UK) and international context. It explores policy development in this area since the commencement of the Northern Ireland Assembly and analyses the extent to which this has … Read more

Ensuring a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland remains on the Political Agenda

18th October 201710th February 2016 by Comms Office

Dr Anne Smith and Prof Monica McWilliams (Ulster) This presentation focuses on the findings of a research report ‘Political Capacity Building: Advancing a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland’, September 2014. The report seeks to contribute to discussions regarding a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and sets out a series of recommendations. Drawing upon … Read more