Analysing and Researching Ireland, North and South (ARINS) is an initiative jointly developed and administered by the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, based in Notre Dame Dublin's O'Connell House.
About
The ARINS Project was established in 2020 as a partnership between the University of Notre Dame’s Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies and the RIA, an all-island body founded in 1785 that brings together leading scholars and researchers from across the island of Ireland and overseas, and which already plays an active role in many areas of public policy.
ARINS is a nonpartisan, evidence-based research initiative that enables academics, practitioners, and policymakers to explore questions and policy options for Ireland, north and south. ARINS seeks to engage recognised experts across the spectrum of disciplines, perspectives, and points of view and invites contributions in the form of academic papers, blog posts, and proposals for partnerships.
Overview
Recent years have seen growing public debate on future constitutional options for the island of Ireland, north and south. There are strongly held views on whether this debate is necessary or useful at this time. However, given that public discourse has already begun on these issues, the questions they raise cannot be avoided.
In looking to the future of the island of Ireland, there are many "known unknowns." At the moment, it is far from certain that a referendum on the constitutional position of Northern Ireland will be triggered, let alone what its outcome would be. What can be widely agreed, however, is that holding a referendum in the absence of prior research and informed debate on the options and their consequences would be a disaster. Regardless of their preferences, policymakers and the public in both jurisdictions should be well informed.
To meet this need, we have launched a project of evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate relating to options for the future of the island of Ireland, north and south.
Research Output
The ARINS project brings together experts to provide evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate facing the island of Ireland, north and south. The project will facilitate and disseminate research on the challenges and opportunities presented to the island against the backdrop of Brexit, with the intention of contributing to an informed public discourse.
Research and analysis focus on three broad areas:
- Political, constitutional, and legal questions
- Economic, financial, social, and environmental questions
- Cultural and educational questions
The ARINS website contains more information about the project's research agenda, its 30-plus-member advisory board, and projects affiliated with it. On the ARINS website, readers can access articles published by the project within the RIA's Irish Studies in International Affairs.