IAA - Managing difficult pasts in a 'post-conflict environment': Legacy, transition and moving forward in Northern Ireland

This timely impact project aims to work alongside key community and public sector organisations as they recalibrate approaches to managing the past in the wake of the signing of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act which received Royal Assent on September 18th 2023. The Act marks a step change in the British Government’s commitment to confront legacy issues-it will be no longer possible for the families of those killed in the Troubles to pursue criminal or civil investigations or inquests. This Act is hugely controversial and has important ramifications for justice and reconciliation. Our research has found that top-down approaches to legacy have a profound impact not only on individuals and groups who suffered during the conflict, but on the community and public sector who are often tasked with implementing, or responding to, attempts to deal with the past.