New £4.8M research initiative to combat economic inactivity in Northern Ireland

The Open University (OU) is involved in a £4.8 million research and policy action group, EPIC Futures NI, aimed at addressing economic inactivity in Northern Ireland.

Led by Ulster University and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the initiative aims to revolutionise approaches to employment by identifying and supporting the hidden unemployed.

EPIC Futures NI stands for Economic and Social Partnering for Inclusive Innovation and Collaboration. It marks a significant milestone as the first cross-departmental, Northern Ireland-wide project of its kind, involving collaboration among the Departments for Communities, Economy, and Finance, alongside universities, industry partners, and community organisations.

The three-year project will focus on gathering data and insights into the hidden unemployed, including women, individuals over 50, and those with disabilities. Through comprehensive research activities and engagement with stakeholders, EPIC Futures NI aims to develop an evidence base that will inform policies and programmes that these groups in finding employment.

Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Business and Law at the OU, is a co-investigator for the EPIC Futures NI three-year project. He said:

“EPIC Futures couldn’t be more important in Northern Ireland as we see the return of the Stormont ministries and I am delighted to be involved as the Executive Dean for the Faculty of Business and Law at the OU.

Our focus on the ‘hidden employed’ and how we can co-create value through new innovative partnering models is important to understand. The three year multi-faceted research programme will meaningfully shape how people think and act around new opportunities across Northern Ireland.”

The project, which formally launched in Belfast on Wednesday 6 March, will also develop a Labour Market Observatory for Northern Ireland to collate both existing data and also showcase new research and data on current and future skill needs.