Conflict Scarring on Employment Outcomes in Northern Ireland: A Place-Based Approach
University of Strathclyde
The economic inactivity problem which Northern Ireland (NI) faces has been well documented over time. However, there remain gaps in how we understand the place-based nature of inactivity and joblessness. We will examine one crucial, but neglected problem, which is unique to NI to enhance the evidence base for policymakers in tackling economic inactivity. We are setting out to understand how NI's position as a post-conflict society may be contributing to the high levels of labour market inactivity and poorer employment outcomes which are experienced in some places.
We are proposing to examine how conflict exposure has left a lasting mark on the economic fortunes of areas in NI. We believe this aligns with the overarching goal of EPIC Futures NI to "tackle challenges unique to place", and no place-based challenges in NI are quite as unique as those related to the conflict. We are addressing what we believe is a cross-cutting issue relevant to a range of themes which EPIC Futures are interested in, particularly advancing our understanding of the spatial patterns of inactivity and the relationship between spatial deprivation and economic inactivity.
The conflict in NI resulted in over 3,700 deaths and over 47,500 injures. Importantly, there is a wealth of literature in NI on the impacts of trauma and conflict exposure on people's physical and mental health. However, the literature examining impact of conflict exposure and trauma on other outcomes, such as labour market outcomes, is sparse in comparison. Recent research has found that more intense exposure to the conflict is associated with an increased likelihood of DLA receipt, of reporting work disability, and of being diagnosed with a mental health condition. We aim to extend this evidence base, examining how areas which experienced greater levels of conflict activity may have different employment outcomes at the area-level.
