Rebooting the Public Sector in Northern Ireland

How can the next Stormont Executive deliver positive public service transformation without damaging its political and public mandate? Led by: Professor Paul Carmichael, Ulster University Location: Ulster University, Belfast Campus, Atrium on Level 3 In partnership with the UK Academy of Social Sciences and ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South - a joint initiative of the University of Notre Dame and the Royal Irish Academy), and the United Kingdom Association for Public Administration (UKAPA) - Ulster University is pleased to host this one-day event exploring one of the most pressing questions facing Northern Ireland: How can the next Stormont Executive deliver positive public service transformation without damaging its political and public mandate? This event will bring together leading academics, practitioners, policymakers and representatives from the community and voluntary sectors to explore how meaningful and sustainable reform can be achieved. The day will open with a plenary session with Professor Matt Flinders, University of Birmingham, followed by four parallel panels focusing on: • Education • Health • Law and Criminal Justice • Housing and Infrastructure Each panel will feature short, thought-provoking contributions from invited experts, followed by discussion and audience questions. Speakers will be encouraged to share research-informed insights, question existing approaches and offer practical suggestions for positive change. Being provocative is entirely appropriate! The event will conclude with a final plenary roundtable, bringing together the key themes and ideas emerging throughout the day and considering how they might contribute to a more effective approach to public service reform. Why attend? This is an opportunity to hear from experts across a range of disciplines, engage with different perspectives and contribute to a constructive conversation about the future of public services in Northern Ireland.